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By
NICK ZEGARAC
"How Green Was My Valley" is a story about the celebration and disillusionment of family. It takes place in a Welsh mining town (actually a Twentieth Century-Fox set built in California) and centers on the Morgan family, mum, dad, five adult sons and one child, played brilliantly by Roddy McDowell.
The whole story is seen through McDowell's eyes. Director, John Ford cuts a masterful swath in telling this tale. Maureen O'Hara and Walter Pigeon are superb as ill-fated lovers. She's spoken for in a loveless marriage to the son of the town's only source of income. Pigeon's the local minister and therefore forbidden to marry. Donald Crisp and Sara Allgoode are the formidable elders of the Morgan clan. This is a poignant and timeless film to share with your family and friends. A genuine classic on every level and, in fact, the film for which Ford once said he would like to be remembered.
The transfer on Fox's "studio series" is the same as the previously issued DVD. Contrast levels seem a bit low at times but the black and white picture is almost pristine, especially when it comes to the stunning close ups. The remixed soundtrack is a bit too aggressive in its side channel output, often drowning out the more soft spoken bits of dialogue with music. Not to worry. The film's original mono audio is also included and it is properly balanced. Dialogue, though dated in fidelity is nevertheless well represented.
On the "studio series" version you get a documentary on the making of the movie that is all too brief and some theatrical trailers that don't add anything to the enjoyment of the over-all film experience. |
