Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood (1973)

TOMATOMETER

60%

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Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

55%

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Movie Info

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

Cast

Richard Burton
as First Voice
Glynis Johns
as Myfanwy Price
Peter O'Toole
as Captain Cat
Ann Beach
as Polly Carter
Angela Brinkworth
Elizabeth Taylor
as Rosie Probert
Vivien Merchant
as Mrs. Pugh
Peggy Ann Clifford
as Bessie Bighead
Margaret Courtenay
as 1st Neighbor
David Davies
as Utah Watkins
Richard Davies
as Mr. Pritchard
Ryan Davies
as Second Voice
Maudie Edwards
as Mrs. Utah Watkins
Michael Forest
as Sinbad Sailor
Davyd Harries
as Police Constable Attila Rees
Dafydd Havard
as Lord Cut Glass
David Jason
as Nogood Boyo
Mark Jones
as Evans the Death
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
Dorothea Phillips
as Mrs. Dai Bread One
Sian Phillips
as Mrs. Ogmore Pritchard
John Rainer
Hubert Rees
as Butcher Beynon
John Rees
as Jack Black
Aubrey Richards
as Rev. Eli Jenkins
Rachel Thomas
as Mary Ann Sailors
Griffith Davies
as Ocky Milkman
Dudley Jones
as Dai Bread
Rhoda Lewis
as 1st Woman/Waldo Wife Four
Dilys Price
as Mrs. Organ Morgan
Iris Jones
as Mother
Victor Spinetti
as Mog Edwards
Angharad Rees
as Gossamer Beynon
Ray Smith
as Mr. Waldo
Bridget Turner
as Mrs. Cherry Owen
Talfryn Thomas
as Mr. Pugh
Tim Wylton
as Mr. Willy Nilly
Bronwen Williams
as Mrs. Willy Nilly
Glynn Edwards
as Mr. Cherry Owen
Hugh Griffith
Meredith Edwards
Philip Burton
Rachel Roberts
Sybil Williams
Lucy Griffiths
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Critic Reviews for Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (4)

The images that Director Andrew Sinclair has added to his film adaptation do not complement Thomas' language; they detract from it.

Mar 23, 2011 | Full Review…
TIME Magazine
Top Critic

Writer-director Andrew Sinclair has a wonderful feel for his material, and a happy hand in matching it to its setting.

Mar 23, 2011 | Full Review…
Variety
Top Critic

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.

Mar 23, 2011 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
New York Times
Top Critic

Fairly creaky.

Mar 23, 2011 | Full Review…
Chicago Reader
Top Critic

Intended solely for the fans of Thomas and for those of intelligent character studies.

May 26, 2011 | Full Review…
Cinema Crazed

Unwise physical materialisation of a play for voices.

Mar 23, 2011 | Full Review…
Film4
View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood

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.

Robert C
Robert C

Super Reviewer

½

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.

jay nixon
jay nixon

Super Reviewer

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Dylan Thomas' Under Milk Wood Quotes

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