Under Milk Wood (1973)

. . .I guess that this was the way to do it.But who had the harebrained idea of doing a play for voices as a film, the most visual of media? All the actors, with the exception of Elizabeth Taylor, were very talented people, and were clearly doing their best, but conditions were against them. And even Taylor wasn't precisely BAD--it was just that so much of Rosie Probert's part was cut that one couldn't get a fair impression of what she could do with the part.And why was so much of not just Rosie Probert's part, but the play as a whole cut? If it was because of time limitations, what was with the insertion of the totally-irrelevant and gratuitous 'Norma Jean' sequence? I'd say, save your money and buy a recording of some other version of MILKWOOD done as an audio play as God and Dylan Thomas intended.

A film of rare magic. This little known but top-notch production is whimsical, thoroughly engaging, and delicately controlled.The atmosphere is consistent throughout, with universal types exaggeratedly peopling and animating a small Welsh seaside town.This is as close as any British film has come to creating a Fellini-like mood.Narrative lyricism overpowers any actor's personal performance, though Peter O'Toole excels as Captain Cat. Glynnis Johns's performance also stands out, as do those of a motley mix of more minor characters.Over it all, Richard Burton's driving cadences worthily guide Thomas's verse to an eccentric and vibrant cinematic life. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Dylan Thomas' play for voices has always worked best as a radio text, where its rich poetry can be fully appreciated. This film version is indeed true to the text but as a visual medium, is saddled with the need to open out and show scenes as described in the text - with sometimes risible results.However, there are certain strengths that even the filmed treatment can't ruin. Chief amongst these are Peter O'Toole's interpretation of the blind Captain Cat, dreaming of his lost love, Rosie Probert (played by an overly made-up Elizabeth Taylor); and O'Toole's then wife, Sian Phillips, as Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard, abusing both her dead husbands as they lie with her. Polly Garter and Myfanwy Price, Thomas' corrupt and innocent, are well-played by Ann Beach and Glynis Johns.Richard Burton is 1st Voice, as he was in the memorable radio production of the 1950s. But here he is also a malevolent presence wandering quietly round the village of Llareggub, influencing the action at some points (the scene in the barn seemed out-of-place and slowed the pace of this film). I'm not knocking Burton's voice, which was superb for the material, but perhaps his presence would have been better restricted to a narrator.

Dylan Thomas sub-tilted Under Milk Wood with "A Play for Voices".This is where this is best. With the words allowing the listener to develop some lovely images. The film as little if anything to the Argo or BBC recordings (or should I say soundscape?).Buy either of the audio tapes or CD and enjoy.The film is best left alone.