The two things I remembered about this film (taken from the novel by A.J. Cronin) were Margaret Lockwood's portrayal of Davey's unfaithful wife, Jenny and Desmond Tester as Hughie Fenwick. It wasn't a big role but as usual Tester made you remember him. He didn't make many movies, this was the last but one before he settled in Australia but next to Nova Pilbeam he was the best British child actor of the 30s.
Neptune Colliery is closed due to a dispute between the miners and the mine owners. The miners refuse to work Skupper Flats, a very dangerous mine and the owners want to teach them a lesson. The Fenwicks are at breaking point - they are almost starving. Davey (Michael Redgrave) is studying, to help the miners find a better way of life. His mother, strangely enough, does not approve - she finds book learning "too high and mighty" - only his father is sympathetic. His kid brother Hughie (Desmond Tester) dreams of being a star footballer. Nancy Price is just a stand out as Martha Fenwick - so hard on the surface, but in the scene where Davey is leaving, she gives him his sandwich and turns away so he doesn't see the anxiety and longing in her face that the camera shows.
Joe (Emlyn Williams) is the bad lad of the town and takes advantage of a run on the local butcher shop (which he incites) to rob the till and leave town. Davey also leaves to further his studies. He meets Joe at Tyneside, along with Jenny (Margaret Lockwood). To make Joe jealous, Jenny flirts with Davey and ends up marrying him, bringing him nothing but grief. Davey wants to study for his degree but Jenny forces him to put his plans aside and take a job as a teacher. His unorthodox teaching methods draws scorn from the older teachers, he is sacked and turns to private tutoring. Joe also turns up - a successful businessman, wanting to re-open Scupper Flats. Davey goes on a crusade to keep the mine closed but it falls on deaf ears. Hughie is happy - he is finally getting a chance to play football for Tyneside on Saturday.
The inevitable happens and the mine caves in. Davey's father, and brother Hughie are among those trapped on the old side, including a young chap that had begged to go along that day. The last part of the film is just gripping as the miners enter their third entombed day. Desmond Tester is heartbreaking as Hughie, who keeps himself alive with his hope to play football on Saturday. As they sit there you see the game being played, Hughie's name has been crossed off the list.
Also of interest the beautiful Linden Travers plays a small part as Mrs. Laura Millington, Joe's mistress.
Carol Reed's direction is superb. With the blend of social commentary, mining scenes and domestic strife it is a film that really holds your interest. I think it is a far better film than "How Green Was My Valley".
Highly Recommended.
Neptune Colliery is closed due to a dispute between the miners and the mine owners. The miners refuse to work Skupper Flats, a very dangerous mine and the owners want to teach them a lesson. The Fenwicks are at breaking point - they are almost starving. Davey (Michael Redgrave) is studying, to help the miners find a better way of life. His mother, strangely enough, does not approve - she finds book learning "too high and mighty" - only his father is sympathetic. His kid brother Hughie (Desmond Tester) dreams of being a star footballer. Nancy Price is just a stand out as Martha Fenwick - so hard on the surface, but in the scene where Davey is leaving, she gives him his sandwich and turns away so he doesn't see the anxiety and longing in her face that the camera shows.
Joe (Emlyn Williams) is the bad lad of the town and takes advantage of a run on the local butcher shop (which he incites) to rob the till and leave town. Davey also leaves to further his studies. He meets Joe at Tyneside, along with Jenny (Margaret Lockwood). To make Joe jealous, Jenny flirts with Davey and ends up marrying him, bringing him nothing but grief. Davey wants to study for his degree but Jenny forces him to put his plans aside and take a job as a teacher. His unorthodox teaching methods draws scorn from the older teachers, he is sacked and turns to private tutoring. Joe also turns up - a successful businessman, wanting to re-open Scupper Flats. Davey goes on a crusade to keep the mine closed but it falls on deaf ears. Hughie is happy - he is finally getting a chance to play football for Tyneside on Saturday.
The inevitable happens and the mine caves in. Davey's father, and brother Hughie are among those trapped on the old side, including a young chap that had begged to go along that day. The last part of the film is just gripping as the miners enter their third entombed day. Desmond Tester is heartbreaking as Hughie, who keeps himself alive with his hope to play football on Saturday. As they sit there you see the game being played, Hughie's name has been crossed off the list.
Also of interest the beautiful Linden Travers plays a small part as Mrs. Laura Millington, Joe's mistress.
Carol Reed's direction is superb. With the blend of social commentary, mining scenes and domestic strife it is a film that really holds your interest. I think it is a far better film than "How Green Was My Valley".
Highly Recommended.