How Green Was My Valley (1941)

great old movie, well acted by all the cast. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again and I am thoroughly happy that I did not live in those times

Good in it's day but a little slow moving at the start so didn't finish it

What a classic. Lovely old film....made my dear old dad cry

Somehow glowing with the aura of a "holiday movie" (though not one), John Ford's tale of a Welsh coal mining family begins with a pretty good quote about how childhood memories can be more vivid than last week's memories which then turns into a nostalgic recounting of emotional episodes starring a young Roddy McDowall. The sets and cinematography are great, but the cast sometimes seems an odd assortment (Walter Pidgeon seems out of time and place) or they are interchangeable and anonymous. The scary politics of coal mining play second fiddle to the small-minded prejudices of a tight community, but at least they are mentioned.

The trials and tribulations of a Welsh mining family. A classic from the old Hollywood school of film making. While a little too rose coloured in its depiction of mining life, it is also quite harsh in other ways (child exploitation and abuse). Looks good as well. 3.5 stars

One of the great classics among the older movies, very beautifully restored by professional film restorers. In black-and-white, but with both the soundtrack and the visuals as clear as they could originally have been. The acting is extremely good, the plot is relatively tight, and the whole story is not so much a characterization of a Welsh village in Victorian times, as a narrative about a great coal strike which not only impoverished the entire village, but brought to the fore the evils of rampant extreme capitalism typical of the times. Also well portrayed, though largely as an afterthought, where the mores of the time, the bigotry and the hypocrisy not only of the upper classes but also the lower classes. Although the title of the book and movie looked as though they refer to a happy period, it is really just a euphemism -- repeated again and again by the "narrator" of the film -- for the appalling, desperate, deprived and somewhat depraved situation of the people in a coal town in Wales. Although the author of the original book at first claimed that his story was autobiographical, it later turned out that he had not been brought up in Wales and had never lived for any lengthy period their. But his narrative skills and his knowledge of the times more than make up for it. When you watch this film, do not expect a happy time, and sometimes, perhaps often, you will strongly feel like weeping. It is indeed a classic, and highly realistic.

Heart breaking story of the days in the coal mines in early Wales, Love Maureen o'Hara and Roddy Mcdowall. Good black and white movie

Wonderful! Movie-making at its best.

a masterpiece whose message never dates. the welsh male voice choir alone makes it worthwhile.

Even though itb is circa1941 and black & white. It still is one of the most powerful portrayal of life in those conditions of the times in the coal mines of Wales. Excellent portrayals all round and especially MASTER Roddy McDowell

This was a fantastic movie about the importance of family, love and life in a small Welsh town as seen by a child. The movie had me gripped all the way.

A great b/w movie. Not a the top of my list but still worthwhile.

This movie is an old black and white and the acting is very dated, but it really gives a great picture of the place and time. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

Excellent in all ways.

A bit staid by current standards of narrative and individual performance - more theatrical than cinematic, though i suppose the actors were probably new to cinema - cinematography however is remarkable for its benchmarking across generations. A must see if you love all things welsh - for me though the accent is a bit much - use the sub-titles function!

Great old classic.

Taking us back when integrity, loyalty, family values and genuine Christianity were held in high esteem. The acting is superb, by all the main characters. See the movie and then get the book, not vice versa!

Wonderful movie and very true to one of my favourite books. All the actors were superb, the singing was marvellous and it was beautifully filmed amongst the valleys of Wales. So delightful to see it again after so many years.

For people who love the innocence and beauty of classic movies and those who enjoyed movies such as "Life Is Beautiful"

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Good old fashioned family entartainment. Good to see this beautiful old movie available on DVD at last. Always enjoyable.