Review of How Green Was My Valley (1941) by Daniel K — 19 May 2013
5: It doesn't get much more poignant and moving than this. Nostalgia is a powerful emotion that Ford knows how to get the most out of. The book is actually better than the film, but both are masterpieces of their own medium.
Despite the fact that is was filmed in California, the black and white photography leave one with the definite impression that it was actually filmed in Wales. The magic of Hollywood and John Ford. While The Quite Man is a more personal triumph for Ford (he was Irish vice Welsh), he certainly manages to fake it admirably here.
The Quiet Man is about returning to the idyllic, whereas this is about losing it forever, which is what makes it such a heartbreaking story in many respects. Few films capture the feeling of losing something unique and irretrievable better.
I can't help but wonder how WWII era audiences viewed the film. I imagine it may have been particularly hard for citizens of the United Kingdom to watch it, whether they were Welsh or not.
This review of How Green Was My Valley (1941) was written by Daniel K on 19 May 2013.
How Green Was My Valley has generally received very positive reviews.
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