Rating: 
Summary: One of the best films about family ever made. Very moving.
Review: This movie is impeccably crafted, written, performed, and directed. It's impossible not to be drawn in emotionally. Both HOW GREEN and Ford's pervious film, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, are realistic depictions of the effects of severe economic and social conditions upon a family. But while GRAPES centers more on the social conditions, VALLEY focuses primarily on the family itself. Indeed, it mourns the loss of family unity. The legendary Irish-American Ford was known for his gruff, crusty exterior, but pictures like this one show his sentimentality and his belief in the basic values of human life.HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY is about a large, close-knit family, the Morgans, in a small Welsh mining town. The family is headed by a firm father and a gentle, wise mother, and comprises six sons and one daughter. The five grown sons are, like their father, coal miners, and it is their hope that the sixth son, sensitive and intelligent Huw (Roddy McDowall), will become a scholar. It is through Huw's eyes that the story is told. He looks back as an older man and reflects on his family, his valley, and its people. He grows up in a time of change, watching in confusion as a secure way of life is altered for the worse by mine owners who overwork the mines and alienate the miners, leading his brothers to call for unionism, a concept which his father abhors. This is the central decision from which the other threads of this compelling story evolve, and the film is ultimately a beautifully moving drama, one of the best films about family ever made.
Rating:
Summary: To understand just how good a movie this is, read the book!
Review: This movie is not a strained adaptation of just any old book. Llewellyn's "How Green Was My Valley" is autobiographical and should be read by all viewers as it is beautifully and tenderly written. The movie accurately depicts the true story of a Welsh family living in a community that is being destroyed bit by bit, its workers and their families exploited by mine owners with no respect for the people or the land - - a story many Americans can identify with because they or their families have experienced or are experiencing such exploitation here. Sound like a good guy-bad guy film? Not so - - the characters' complexities are developed in a way seldom seen in American films. The family's grace, courage and commitment to each other in the face of great personal losses are both inspiring and believable. Roddy McDowell excells as the youngest son and author/narrator. Do see it, and read the book!
Rating:
Summary: To understand just how good a movie this is, read the book!
Review: This movie is not a strained adaptation of just any old book. Llewellyn's "How Green Was My Valley" is autobiographical and should be read by all viewers as it is beautifully and tenderly written. The movie accurately depicts the true story of a Welsh family living in a community that is being destroyed bit by bit, its workers and their families exploited by mine owners with no respect for the people or the land - - a story many Americans can identify with because they or their families have experienced or are experiencing such exploitation here. Sound like a good guy-bad guy film? Not so - - the characters' complexities are developed in a way seldom seen in American films. The family's grace, courage and commitment to each other in the face of great personal losses are both inspiring and believable. Roddy McDowell excells as the youngest son and author/narrator. Do see it, and read the book!
Rating:
Summary: Forever a One-of-a-Kind Classic
Review: Welsh Author Richard Llewellyn's classic (1940), in 1941 won an Oscar at the Academy Awards over 'Citizen Kane' for Best Picture. Also to recieve an award for Best Supporting Actor, Donald Crisp and Best Director, John Ford. Ford had previously won an Academy Award for Best Director in 1935 for 'The Informer' and in 1940 for 'The Grapes of Wrath.' With this track record it a wonder that the 1941 film's success claimed all the awards at the Oscars. Ford went on later to capture again the Best Director category in 1952 for 'The Quiet Man.'
Most movie-goers and critics who have seen both, 'Citizen Kane' and 'How Green Was My Valley' in comparation choose 'Citizen Kane' as the greatest American film in movie history. According to the American Film Institute (AFI) had been selected as one of the top 100 films of all time. Was it such a disappointment at the 1941 Oscars that left 'Citizen Kane' empty-handed in it's artistic achievement? Concerning at the time the approach of the film's story and Orson Welles are not to go unnoticed. The differences that probably considered at the time, that 'Citizen Kane' approach was a more documentary-type looking at the life of a newspaper mogul. Whereas, 'How Green Was My Valley' is a narrative look at one Welsh family seen through the eyes of the 10-year-old son. My guess that's what the public can relate to more of family values at a time in the early 40s just after the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II. That's what 'The Grapes of Wrath' did. It related to real people the same as 'How Green Was My Valley.' Maybe 'Citizen Kane' in some public's point-of-view at that time left a bad taste in their mouth. Or, maybe we can all just relate more in our life experiences. Isn't that what life and art is all about? If you've read Llewellyn's book you can hear the Welsh speak and the events that affect the Morgan family like that of a soap opera. The same is geniously done in the film.
Ford does a beautiful job creating this memorable drama about a loving, spiritual Welsh family of coal miners. It's gentle portrayal well deserves it's reward in this coming-of-age story in the best and worst times that hold a family together. A true masterpiece, that Hollywood could use as an example in their film notebooks of how a great film is made. There's a great cast that makes a great movie. There's plenty here. The story focuses on the events as seen through the eyes of 10 year old Huw Morgan (Roddy McDowell). His father and mother (Donald Crisp and Sarah Allgood) and five other brothers has seen the best and worst times when tensions of a miner's union causes some turmoil between the Morgan family members and the other villagers as they begin a long strike. Huw Morgan also learns the tougher side of life under the guardianship of local preacher, Mr. Gruffydd (Walter Pidgeon). Mr. Gruffydd has also developed permanent affections towards Huw's sister, Angharad (Maureen O'Hara). Crises arise throughout the film, like the cruel schoolmaster, the bully and the unfortunate accident of a fall causing Hwu to lose the use of his legs are endured. Even when the family are separated because of change or tragic loss the story just unfolds into a moving, lush family portrait of durable strength and sound morals. It was a time that was simple and innocent. The fondness of memory and the journey from childhood to adulthood we all have in common. Such a beautiful classic to cherish. If you like to read more about Richard Llewellyn's work try, 'None But the Lonely Heart.' You may also enjoy in the same gnere as this film, 'The Corn is Green' with Bette Davis.
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Summary: Make sure to get your copy of "Sunrise"
Review: When I first got this movie, I threw away the insert that said that you can get a free copy of "Sunrise" if you buy 3 Fox classics this year. The picture in the insert looked dopey. Later on, I discovered that "Sunrise" is considered a masterpiece from one of the great directors, F.W. Murnau. So don't throw away that insert. "All About Eve", "Gentlemen's Agreement", "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", "An Affair to Remember" all qualify for this offer.
"How Green Was My Valley" is not a happy, feel-good movie. It is about many different tragedies that befall a family in Wales. It is poignant, touching, a masterpiece from one of the great directors of all time.
Rating:
Summary: It Will Make You Cry and Cheer
Review: You cannot give this film less then 5 stars. The story of a young boy growing up in the Welsh mine country touches on everyone. A young Roddy McDowell sees his family go though loss, redemption, hatred and love. If nothing else, the movie shows the strength of th family and in particular the English people. An outstanding cast almost makes you feel like you are in old Wales. You can almost feel the coal dust on your tongue as you watch the miners traverse the dangerous coal mines. You can feel the suffering and the happiness of the family as they deal with trajedies and triumphs. Watch it-one of the greatest movies of all time!
Rating:
Summary: It Will Make You Cry and Cheer
Review: You cannot give this film less then 5 stars. The story of a young boy growing up in the Welsh mine country touches on everyone. A young Roddy McDowell sees his family go though loss, redemption, hatred and love. If nothing else, the movie shows the strength of th family and in particular the English people. An outstanding cast almost makes you feel like you are in old Wales. You can almost feel the coal dust on your tongue as you watch the miners traverse the dangerous coal mines. You can feel the suffering and the happiness of the family as they deal with trajedies and triumphs. Watch it-one of the greatest movies of all time!
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