Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood (1971)

56% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(984 ratings)

This film is a faithful rendition of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' last major poem, Under Milk Wood. It affectionately examines the day-to-day life of the inhabitants of a small Welsh fishing village. The poem is narrated by Richard Burton, himself a Welshman and a great aficionado of Thomas' work. The… More This film is a faithful rendition of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' last major poem, Under Milk Wood. It affectionately examines the day-to-day life of the inhabitants of a small Welsh fishing village. The poem is narrated by Richard Burton, himself a Welshman and a great aficionado of Thomas' work. The narrative framework comes through the character of Captain Cat (Peter O'Toole), a retired seaman who, though blind, knows the village and its inhabitants so well, it is as if he could see. The colorful characters of the village are delineated in short vignettes by a host of very distinguished British actors. Elizabeth Taylor, Burton's wife at the time, makes a brief appearance as Rosie Probert. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Les Orton, Andrew Sinclair
Written By: Dylan Thomas
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Classics, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Aug 9, 2005
Studio: Hart Sharp Video

Critic Reviews

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine
The images that Director Andrew Sinclair has added to his film adaptation do not complement Thomas' language; they detract from it.
Variety Staff, Variety
Writer-director Andrew Sinclair has a wonderful feel for his material, and a happy hand in matching it to its setting.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Too many words, I'm convinced, for the screen. It's not simply the quantity of words, though. It's also their ornateness. They overflow the ears and get into the eyes.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Fairly creaky.
, Film4
Unwise physical materialisation of a play for voices.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
All things considered, this is a fairly good adaptation of an impossible play to adapt.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The film, faithful to the poem, offers an endearing, often humorous, examination of Welsh life.
Chris Pepus, culturevulture.net
A loving adaptation and...a fine introduction to Thomas's poetry
Phil Hall, Film Threat
Marvelous adaptation of the Dylan Thomas radio play. Strongly recommended.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

It is an ensemble piece for the most part, so don't expect an abundance of screen time from the three leads. As much as I hate to say it (with a cast like this) this one's not really about the acting...It's more about the writing of Dylan Thomas and the quirky beauty… More
It is an ensemble piece for the most part, so don't expect an abundance of screen time from the three leads. As much as I hate to say it (with a cast like this) this one's not really about the acting...It's more about the writing of Dylan Thomas and the quirky beauty of the Welsh seaside, brought to life here with his words and some wonderful imagery. Not suitable for everyone's tastes I'll admit, but if you enjoy clever writing (and can understand sometimes thick Welsh accents) you are in for a treat.
jay n

Beautiful settings and a game cast are about the only things this has going for it. The kind of film that killed Liz and Dick's careers in the late 60's-early 70's.

Cast

            Richard Burton as First Voice

            Elizabeth Taylor as Rosie Probert

            Peter O'Toole as Captain Cat

            Glynis Johns as Myfanwy Price

            Vivien Merchant as Mrs. Pugh

            Ann Beach as Polly Carter

            Peggy Ann Clifford as Bessie Bighead

            Margaret Courtenay as 1st Neighbor

            David Davies as Utah Watkins

            Ryan Davies as Second Voice

            Glynn Edwards as Mr. Cherry Owen

            Maudie Edwards as Mrs. Utah Watkins

            Michael Forest as Sinbad Sailor

            Lucy Griffiths
            
            Davyd Harries as Police Constable Attila Rees

            David Jason as Nogood Boyo

            Mary Jones as Mrs. Beynon

            Ruth Madoc as Mrs. Dai Bread Two

            Pamela Miles as Waldo Wife Five

            Meg Wynn Owen as Lily Smalls

            Susan Penhaligon as Mae Rose Cottage

            Sian Phillips as Mrs. Ogmore Pritchard

            John Rainer
            
            Angharad Rees as Gossamer Beynon

            Hubert Rees as Butcher Beynon

            John Rees as Jack Black

            Aubrey Richards as Rev. Eli Jenkins

            Ray Smith as Mr. Waldo

            Victor Spinetti as Mog Edwards

            Talfryn Thomas as Mr. Pugh

            Bridget Turner as Mrs. Cherry Owen

            Bronwen Williams as Mrs. Willy Nilly

            Richard Davies as Mr. Pritchard

            Rachel Thomas as Mary Ann Sailors

            Dafydd Havard as Lord Cut Glass

            Dorothea Phillips as Mrs. Dai Bread One

            Griffith Davies as Ocky Milkman

            Dudley Jones as Dai Bread

            Rhoda Lewis as 1st Woman/Waldo Wife Four

            Iris Jones as Mother

            Dilys Price as Mrs. Organ Morgan

            Tim Wylton as Mr. Willy Nilly

            Mark Jones as Evans the Death

            Angela Brinkworth
            
            Hugh Griffith
            
            Meredith Edwards
            
            Philip Burton
            
            Rachel Roberts
            
            Sybil Williams
            
See full cast