How Green Was My Valley (1941)

At the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

Philip Dunne (screen play), Richard Llewellyn (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee

Won 5 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Pidgeon	...	Mr. Gruffydd
Maureen O'Hara	...	Angharad
Anna Lee	...	Bronwyn
Donald Crisp	...	Mr. Morgan
Roddy McDowall	...	Huw
John Loder	...	Ianto
Sara Allgood	...	Mrs. Morgan
Barry Fitzgerald	...	Cyfartha
Patric Knowles	...	Ivor
Welsh Singers	...	Singers
Morton Lowry	...	Mr. Jonas
Arthur Shields	...	Mr. Parry
Ann E. Todd	...	Ceinwen (as Ann Todd)
Frederick Worlock	...	Dr. Richards
Richard Fraser	...	Davy

Storyline

Life is hard in a Welsh mining town and no less so for the Morgan family. Seen through the eyes of the family's youngest, Huw, we learn of the family's trials and tribulations. Family patriarch Gwilym and his older sons work in the mines, dangerous and unhealthy as it is. Gwilym has greater hopes for his youngest son, but Huw has his own ideas on how to honor his father. Daughter Angharad is the most beautiful girl in the valley and is very much in love with Mr. Gruffydd, who isn't sure he can provide her the life she deserves. Times are hard and good men find themselves out of work and exploited by unseen mine owners.

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Plot Keywords:

coal mine | color in title | based on novel | national film registry | coal miner | 

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Taglines:

Millions Have Read This Great Novel... Millions more will see an even greater picture!

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Welsh

Release Date:

9 April 1942 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Richard Llewellyn's How Green Was My Valley

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,250,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$6,000,000, 31 January 1943

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Microphonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alexander Knox was Fox's first choice for the part of Dr. Gruffydd, later played by Walter Pidgeon.

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Goofs

When Huw comes home after being beaten by his teacher, there is no blood or marks on his back.

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Quotes

Huw Morgan: [narrating] I think I fell in love with Bronwyn then. Perhaps it is foolish to think a child could fall in love. But I am the child that was, and nobody knows how I felt, except only me.

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Alternate Versions

The British version of this film was narratted by Rhys Williams instead of Irving Pichel

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'The Quiet Man' (1992)

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Soundtracks

Myfanwy-Arabella
(uncredited)
Music by Joseph Parry
Welsh lyrics by Mynyddag
Townfolks serenating mother at door

User Reviews

Very moving

This movie tugged at my heart strings like few others. I was thoroughly immersed in the lives of the Morgans and found myself especially drawn to young Huw's trials, tribulations, and triumphs. The scene where he taps his fork twice and sneezes before he is acknowledged by his father was poignant beyond belief. Despite the hardships and tragedies there is also warmth and humor such as when family friends of the Morgans visit the schoolmaster after he had been especially harsh with Huw. The romantic aspect of the film is also well done by its primary principles, Angharad and the pastor. All in all the films does a magnificent job of capturing the lives of a family in a bygone time and place. There is no doubt that this is a great film and the fact that it beat out the likes of Citizen Kane for Best Picture is a testament to that fact. 9/10.