Ten movies were nominated for Best Picture that year (including Citizen Kane and The Maltese Falcon) and yet there were several other movies that were worthy of nomination. This shows how many great films were being made back then.
Some might be puzzled by the absurd amount of choral singing in a Welsh village, but as someone who has hitch-hiked across Wales, I have to say that it's completely realistic. I loved the performance of Canadian actor Walter Pidgeon as Mr. Gruffydd. He was a big star in the 1940s. But I have always been enchanted by a later role, as Dr. Morbeus in Forbidden Planet (1955). If you are looking for an amazing film to watch, Henry, I strongly recommend it.
Boy, this movie is shot gorgeously. It beat Citizen Kane for best picture AND best director. How have I not seen this before? From what I've read John Ford was a great inspiration to the directors of the French New Wave who cited his films regularly.
According to one of my patrons, some critics felt that Citizen Kane should've won best picture instead. I believe "How Green is My Valley" won because it resonated more with the audience.
@@henryellow Citizen Kane was no doubt more "revolutionary" in it's approach to cinematic story telling. I was also surprised at the amount of violence and blood in "How Green Was My Valley"; some scenes got gritty and very realistic. I feel Ford's film was more what the audience was used to at that time. Maybe Wells' film was a bit too much for some with how different it was for the time it came out compared to what they were used to. Wells also reminds me of a Russian actor/director Nikita Mikhalkov, who I always found a little too bombastic for my taste. Made some wonderful films though. I know you are going through Kurosawa's filmography. The day you react to "High and Low" (1963) will be a happy day for me (my favorite Kurosawa film). May I suggest the films of Kenji Mizoguchi, specifically "Ugetsu" (1953) my favorite Japanese film and a very important film in cinema history, and Yasujiro Ozu, specifically "Tokyo Story" (1953). If you keep going chronologically through Kurosawa's films you'll reach his color films like "Dodes'ka-Den" (1970) , "Dersu Uzala" (1975) shot in the Soviet Union, his masterpiece "Ran" (1985), "Dreams" (1990) which has a cameo by Martin Scorsese, "Rhapsody in August" (1991) with Richard Gere and his last film "Madadayo" (1993) (I've seen this film and thought it was MUCH older). If you want a good documentary on Kurosawa watch "Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create" (2002) by Toho. Sorry for so much typing but hopefully someone can get some value from the info I provided.
"High and Low" (1963) is in my Kurosawa queue, and it's highly likely I will watch it when I rotate back to Kurosawa 😉. Some of the movies you mentioned are not on my list, so I will add them in. I'm sure I'll eventually react to these, but not all of them will make it to YT. Still, thank you for sharing! 😊
Even before he portrayed Hew so well, Roddy McDowell had been a movie star in England. His family immigrated to California and Hollywood as WWII broke out. Aside from his major roles, he also was in movies showing the plight of children in war torn Europe and advocated for folks to open their homes to them for refuge. Roddy remained a star in movies, Broadway plays, and television until his death in 1999. His acting credits are in the hundreds. Even as Cornelius the Chimpanzee scientist in Planet of the Apes, his sensitivity and intelligence shone through the prosthetic make-up. And with apologies to Andy Serkis, he didn't need CGI. 🧓🎭📽️💖
Cool. It's been a good long while since I've seen this. Huw pushing the mining cart in the mines for the first time, his face dirty with coal dust, is an iconic image. Roddy McDowall does such a great job with the role it's easy to forget it's him. Cornelius is that you??? The scene at the end where the mine elevator cart finishes its ascent to reveal Morgan's body bathed in light and resting in Huw's arms as Gruffydd looks down, his face in shadow the same as Huw's, is also iconic. It's framed like a painting, in the style of the Pieta, as if the crushed worker was socialist Christ taken down from the cross. Then the cut to the widow and her grief. Interesting that Ford never follows the sons to America considering how many of his movies came to define Americana. Watching the film also reminds me of a girl in knew in high school named Bronwyn.
A young boy working in the coal mines. He could've continued his education, he could've done better, but he made his choice... and his father respected his choice. That was a good scene too. Wow, thanks for sharing your view of that scene 😊
Shortly after this film wrapped, John Ford left to join the US Navy, and so many others in Hollywood were enlisting. Part of the reason this was made in black & white, was that wartime budget limitations were already being put into place. Altho Ford is Irish and not Welsh, there are similarities in the lifestyle of the time and Ford infused this story of families and villages with memories. Also, there is a strong tradition in Wales of community singing and the music is all authentically Welsh.
Great reaction to a beautiful film, Henry. I went to college in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which used to be a coal mining town. Lots of people of Welsh ancestry live there. A few steps from the apartment I shared with other girls was a small corner grocery owned by a Welsh couple and she made Welsh cakes which I love. A fun movie that takes place in Wales is The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain, with Hugh Grant. Based on a true story, with great charm and humor. You’d enjoy it, plus the cinematography is gorgeous with the Welsh countryside.
@@henryellow In Scranton? Green rolling hills and mountains, lots of woodlands, lakes, streams, etc. Lovely. But the winters are harsh! Similar to Wales, I think, although I don't think Wales is as cold in the winter as Scranton is!
Thank you! 😊 Oh, I've already watched Grapes of Wrath some time ago. It was a special monthly request, so it's only available on Patreon. I don't have any plans to edit it for YT for now... 🙏🏻 Touch of Evil is in the queue, and I'll be watching it for sure 😊
Ten movies were nominated for Best Picture that year (including Citizen Kane and The Maltese Falcon) and yet there were several other movies that were worthy of nomination. This shows how many great films were being made back then.
Oh, I haven't watched The Maltese Falcon. Sounds like another great movie to look forward to! 😊
This film is beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you.
You're welcome~ 😁
Great that you are doing these old classics. I haven't seen this one in so long I'd forgotten how good it is.
Magnificent reaction to one of my very favorite films. All of Ford's visual powers move this intimate story. Pure poetry.
Irving Pichel's narration is spot on!!!
I like to talk to film students, listen to them complain that Citizen Kane didn't win Best Picture, and laugh at them for being wrong.
Some might be puzzled by the absurd amount of choral singing in a Welsh village, but as someone who has hitch-hiked across Wales, I have to say that it's completely realistic. I loved the performance of Canadian actor Walter Pidgeon as Mr. Gruffydd. He was a big star in the 1940s. But I have always been enchanted by a later role, as Dr. Morbeus in Forbidden Planet (1955). If you are looking for an amazing film to watch, Henry, I strongly recommend it.
I think I have that on my list, I'll double check. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Boy, this movie is shot gorgeously. It beat Citizen Kane for best picture AND best director. How have I not seen this before? From what I've read John Ford was a great inspiration to the directors of the French New Wave who cited his films regularly.
According to one of my patrons, some critics felt that Citizen Kane should've won best picture instead. I believe "How Green is My Valley" won because it resonated more with the audience.
@@henryellow Citizen Kane was no doubt more "revolutionary" in it's approach to cinematic story telling. I was also surprised at the amount of violence and blood in "How Green Was My Valley"; some scenes got gritty and very realistic. I feel Ford's film was more what the audience was used to at that time. Maybe Wells' film was a bit too much for some with how different it was for the time it came out compared to what they were used to. Wells also reminds me of a Russian actor/director Nikita Mikhalkov, who I always found a little too bombastic for my taste. Made some wonderful films though.
I know you are going through Kurosawa's filmography. The day you react to "High and Low" (1963) will be a happy day for me (my favorite Kurosawa film). May I suggest the films of Kenji Mizoguchi, specifically "Ugetsu" (1953) my favorite Japanese film and a very important film in cinema history, and Yasujiro Ozu, specifically "Tokyo Story" (1953). If you keep going chronologically through Kurosawa's films you'll reach his color films like "Dodes'ka-Den" (1970) , "Dersu Uzala" (1975) shot in the Soviet Union, his masterpiece "Ran" (1985), "Dreams" (1990) which has a cameo by Martin Scorsese, "Rhapsody in August" (1991) with Richard Gere and his last film "Madadayo" (1993) (I've seen this film and thought it was MUCH older). If you want a good documentary on Kurosawa watch "Akira Kurosawa: It is Wonderful to Create" (2002) by Toho.
Sorry for so much typing but hopefully someone can get some value from the info I provided.
"High and Low" (1963) is in my Kurosawa queue, and it's highly likely I will watch it when I rotate back to Kurosawa 😉. Some of the movies you mentioned are not on my list, so I will add them in. I'm sure I'll eventually react to these, but not all of them will make it to YT. Still, thank you for sharing! 😊
Even before he portrayed Hew so well, Roddy McDowell had been a movie star in England. His family immigrated to California and Hollywood as WWII broke out. Aside from his major roles, he also was in movies showing the plight of children in war torn Europe and advocated for folks to open their homes to them for refuge.
Roddy remained a star in movies, Broadway plays, and television until his death in 1999. His acting credits are in the hundreds.
Even as Cornelius the Chimpanzee scientist in Planet of the Apes, his sensitivity and intelligence shone through the prosthetic make-up. And with apologies to Andy Serkis, he didn't need CGI. 🧓🎭📽️💖
Thank you for sharing! 😊
Such a sad, beautiful movie.
Thanks again, Henry!
You're welcome! 😊
Cool. It's been a good long while since I've seen this. Huw pushing the mining cart in the mines for the first time, his face dirty with coal dust, is an iconic image. Roddy McDowall does such a great job with the role it's easy to forget it's him. Cornelius is that you??? The scene at the end where the mine elevator cart finishes its ascent to reveal Morgan's body bathed in light and resting in Huw's arms as Gruffydd looks down, his face in shadow the same as Huw's, is also iconic. It's framed like a painting, in the style of the Pieta, as if the crushed worker was socialist Christ taken down from the cross. Then the cut to the widow and her grief. Interesting that Ford never follows the sons to America considering how many of his movies came to define Americana. Watching the film also reminds me of a girl in knew in high school named Bronwyn.
A young boy working in the coal mines. He could've continued his education, he could've done better, but he made his choice... and his father respected his choice. That was a good scene too.
Wow, thanks for sharing your view of that scene 😊
Shortly after this film wrapped, John Ford left to join the US Navy, and so many others in Hollywood were enlisting. Part of the reason this was made in black & white, was that wartime budget limitations were already being put into place. Altho Ford is Irish and not Welsh, there are similarities in the lifestyle of the time and Ford infused this story of families and villages with memories. Also, there is a strong tradition in Wales of community singing and the music is all authentically Welsh.
I see. Thank you for sharing! 😊
Great reaction to a beautiful film, Henry. I went to college in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which used to be a coal mining town. Lots of people of Welsh ancestry live there. A few steps from the apartment I shared with other girls was a small corner grocery owned by a Welsh couple and she made Welsh cakes which I love.
A fun movie that takes place in Wales is The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain, with Hugh Grant. Based on a true story, with great charm and humor. You’d enjoy it, plus the cinematography is gorgeous with the Welsh countryside.
That must've been a wonderful experience! How was the scenery there?
That's a long movie title 😂 I'll add it to my list. Thanks for sharing! 😊
@@henryellow In Scranton? Green rolling hills and mountains, lots of woodlands, lakes, streams, etc. Lovely. But the winters are harsh! Similar to Wales, I think, although I don't think Wales is as cold in the winter as Scranton is!
It does sound lovely indeed 😊
A vast land of greenery with nature's music. Birds singing and streams flowing 🐦🏞️
Great job, Henry! Hope you are doing well. Can't wait for you to react to Grapes of Wrath & also Touch of Evil by Orson Welles.
Thank you! 😊 Oh, I've already watched Grapes of Wrath some time ago. It was a special monthly request, so it's only available on Patreon. I don't have any plans to edit it for YT for now... 🙏🏻
Touch of Evil is in the queue, and I'll be watching it for sure 😊
Obligatory "good Lord, Maureen O'Hara was beautiful" post.