How Green Was My Valley

How Green Was My Valley (1941) starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Donald Crisp, Anna Lee, Roddy McDowall. Directed by John Ford. The trials and tribulations of a Welsh coal-mining family form the spine of the plot in this movie made as World War II was breaking out. The story is told in backflash fashion, as an older version of McDowall makes preparations to leave the valley -- a beginning to the story that is never followed through in the end. The title refers to the fact that the valley was green and unspoiled at the beginning of the narrator's life, but became choked with black coal sludge by the time of his leaving, 50 years later. This film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It's been hailed as a great movie, but I don't think it holds up all that well after all this time. It's certainly a very good film, but "great" may be stretching it. The movie has been beautifully restored. (English subtitles are available, as well as closed captions.) Grade: B+