Welsh Cinema

[Ted Holmes]

There have been so many films set in Scotland over the decades and a fair few set in Northern Ireland but where are the Welsh ones? A country with easily as much natural beauty, rich culture and history should be a rich seam for film-makers but it seems not to have been. Or am I wrong? 'Under Milk Wood' is, I think, the only one I have in my collection.



So please educate me!



Ted

[Cheeky Bob]

This book is pretty definitive.

[Joenoir]

Twin Town & I'll Be There. The George Cukor version of The Corn is Green certainly had location filming in Wales. However, no classic films so far.

[DB7]

I'd recommend the tv drama One Summer.

[Cassandra]

Tiger Bay is the first film that springs to my mind.

[penfold]

name='Cheeky Bob']This book is pretty definitive.

I'll say it is.....and the fact the author is an old friend has nothing to do with it....DB is currently putting together a conference/festival at Aberystwyth in October, I'll put up details tomorrow when I can put my hand on them....but it's a terrific line-up.

[Hugo]

There are some good Welsh comedies - COMING UP ROSES and VERY ANNIE-MARY to name but two.

[julian_craster]

I am waiting for a movie of the noir pastiche novel ABERYSTWYTH MY LOVE....

[Harleybloke]

Ivor The Engine anyone?



Noggin' the Nog?

[batman]

And we had a Welsh James Bond - Timothy Dalton (well I liked him).



Bats.

[Ted Holmes]

Thanks chaps. It's not much compared with how a similar thread for Scotland might look is it? What a shame!



Ted

[Wee Sonny MacGregor]

Apart from Dave Berry's terrific book, there's a thriving Welsh film industry out there with strong backing from the Welsh Assembly and the Arts Council for Wales. And a respected National Film and Screen Archive. Many of the productions are in the Welsh language so are not that widely known but 'Hedd Wynn' was Oscar nominated for best foreign film a few years ago.



Whilst on the subject of Wales and film, sad to see that that Ivor Emmanuel, whose only film was Zulu, recently passed on.

[Moor Larkin]

Film Trails & Things To Do in North Wales, UK

Wales Screen Commission

[D Cairns]

THE OLD DARK HOUSE -- the ultimate in Welsh horror! But filmed in Hollywood.



Wales has given us terrific stars like Stanley Baker and Peggy Cummin and Anthony Hopkins, but for some reason has underperformed slightly as a film-making country. But then, I'm not too keen on most Scottish cinema so maybe my standards are too high.



I've never seen REBECCA'S DAUGHTERS by Dylan Thomas, but I heard bad things about it. A shame. Karl Francis, the director, was an amusing man who strangely specialised in miserable films -- this may have been his only comedy.

[Ted Holmes]

name='D Cairns']THE OLD DARK HOUSE -- the ultimate in Welsh horror! But filmed in Hollywood.

In response to Karloff's odd grunting noises..."Even Welsh shouldn't sound like that!"



It's a British film like all James Whale's work surely?. There's hardly an American performer in sight. American money, yes - but what's new?

[Lady Skelton]

The Three Weird Sisters, co-scripted by Dylan Thomas, late 40s, is set in Wales even if it wasn't filmed there. Has some great lines debunking Welsh spirituality - 'The Welsh are about as spiritual as slugs!' I imagine that's Thomas speaking...

[Wee Sonny MacGregor]

name='Joenoir'] no classic films so far.

What? Not even Girdle of Gold!

[batman]

Has anyone mentioned Julian Richards? He has directed several decent horror/thrillers over the past few years.



Bats.

[Joenoir]

name='Wee Sonny MacGregor']What? Not even Girdle of Gold!

One that has sadly passed me by. Looking it up on IMDB it appears as if it might be a contender. However, go to the recommendations and there is a film, unfortunately not Welsh, that ticks every box for a classic movie Airy Fairy Lillian Tries On Her New Corsets. Add it to the list of great titles.

[D Cairns]

THE OLD DARK HOUSE is an American film, made with American money, In America. Mainly American crew, and American leading man (Melvyn Douglas) and leading ladies. It is suffused with British humour in the script, acting and direction, but we have to give credit where it's due. It's a Hollywood film. James Whale made NO films in Britain, and I doubt anybody could make any great claims for SHOWBOAT as being a British film.