Set Fire to the Stars (2014)

An aspiring poet in 1950s New York has his ordered world shaken when he embarks on a week-long retreat to save his hell raising hero, Dylan Thomas.

Director:

Andy Goddard

Writers:

Andy Goddard (co-writer), Celyn Jones (co-writer)

Stars:

Elijah Wood, Celyn Jones, Kelly Reilly

7 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Elijah Wood	...	John M. Brinnin
Celyn Jones	...	Dylan Thomas
Kelly Reilly	...	Caitlin
Steven Mackintosh	...	Jack
Shirley Henderson	...	Shirley
Kevin Eldon	...	Stanley
Steve Speirs	...	Mickey
Richard Brake	...	Mr. Unlucky
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andrew Bicknell	...	Loomis
Kate Drew	...	Janet
Ken Drury	...	Doctor
Nicola Duffett
Weston Gavin	...	Yale Provost
Adam Gillen	...	Harvey
Polly Hemingway	...	Miss Missy 1

Storyline

In 1950, John Brinnan invited the highly acclaimed and infamous Dylan Thomas to New York for a series of poetry readings. Ignoring rumors of Thomas' frivolities back home, Brinnan has his hands full when the poet arrives. Desperate to get his watchful university chaplains off his back, Brinnan takes Thomas to his family retreat in the woods of Connecticut. But even in the middle of nowhere, the resourceful and cantankerous Thomas finds an audience for his art, passion, love and aggression...

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | reference to superman | f word | reference to seabiscuit | title spoken by character | 

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Taglines:

A week with Dylan Thomas.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot entirely on location in Swansea, Wales over 18 days.

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Goofs

When Dylan and John's "boxing" gets out of hand, Shirley exclaims, "Don't get your pantyhose in a knot." Pantyhose were not available to the public until 1959.

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Quotes

Dylan Thomas: There is no secret, John. No Holy Grail. Just what's in front of all of us. Don't open a book. Open a window.

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Soundtracks

It Was Hot That Summer
featuring Elijah Wood

User Reviews

A film of rare quality

Superb reviews here of a magnificent film.

One complaint.

Too often the music kills the moment.

When no-one is speaking, and also when someone is speaking, the scene would be more intense without musical sounds that intrude.

Many years ago, in the 1940s I believe, H.L.Mencken wrote strongly of his irritation when musical sounds were introduced into films for dramatic effect.

This is a film largely about the spoken word and human frailties, in brilliantly simple black-ands-white settings that are intimate whether in a field, a forest or a cabin.

Of course it's merely personal opinion, but to me the music here merely clutters a classic.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official Website

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 June 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Set Fire to the Stars

Filming Locations:

Swansea, Wales, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,132, 14 June 2015

Gross USA:

$4,280

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,280

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mad As Birds, Masnomis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1