1940's Hall Of Fame Part I

Wow that does seem long for an old Disney movie.

I finished Green Valley; I'll do a little write up in a couple hours.

I kind of agree with you Sean, but i like it more than you. I think my interest in classic (meaning Disney, Looney Tunes, Fleischer, etc) american animation makes me enjoy it more than you. It is a bit too long though and some of the segments aren't great.

I had been thinking for a few days how cool it would be for this to be nominated, since it was already 1 of the 2 DVDs I get every week, and I was planning on watching it today anyway. An added bonus was my wife going shopping today, allowing me to watch it on our big screen.

Right off the bat, I'll say I had two minor problems with the movie. First, some of the narration at the beginning was hard to make out, partly because of the accent, and partly because the music was drowning it out. Second, I thought the scene with the two men visiting the school could have been done better. Other than that, I thought the movie was virtually flawless.

The movie starts and gives you a little glimpse at the town down the line, and it looks so grimy. All of a sudden, it cuts to the time of the story, and I thought wow, this looks awesome. This turned out to be one of the best looking movies I've seen, and I was amazed to find out that John Ford had an 80 acre studio built recreating an old Welsh mining town. The musical score was also perfection.

Going in, I assumed this was a western. I guess what I'd call it now is part family drama and part coming of age story. It's a subtle movie, with no discernible plot and no stand out characters. What it does extremely well though, is capture the reality of a time and place like that. I was even thinking at times that I wouldn't mind living there. The family is very normal and extremely likable. Character's likability is not always important, but I think it was an important key in this particular movie. That's what makes the seemingly mundane become important to the viewer. The movie got better as it went along, and then even more so after I shut it off and thought about it-a great sign for a strong lasting impression. What perhaps surprised me most was the emotion I felt. I think it's a very powerful movie, especially with how it's not forced. I was wondering if there was some connection or influence with Ford and Ozu.

I loved it, and would have been happy if it were twice as long. It's the best movie I've seen this year, and not only a leading contender for the top spot on my Hall of Fame ballot, but for the top spot on my list for the upcoming 40's countdown.

Oh wow. I didn't read that because i haven't seen it but awesome and a bit surprising to see a from you, Cricket.

I don't think I gave anything away in my write up

I think visually that Ford is one of the strongest directors, in a lot of his greatest films he uses a 4:3 frame which is quite uncommon nowadays, but he uses is to pack in so much detail and use foreground, background, figures, shadows etc. perfectly...



Here's another great image from She Wore a Yellow Ribbon where I was blown away by the cinematography.



I don't know if you know this, but the movie is set in Wales, where I live, so it was cool for me to see such a great film set here, and I think it's a perfect environment for Ford. He seemed to have a love for homely, close-knit communities so the mining valleys is perfect for him. I've heard lots of stories about them and this country, and its a perfect match for Ford: a national pride, hard work, family values etc., a mix of some more conservative/national values mixed with more socialist working class elements.

I've only seen one Ozu but I can see that. I think Ford is deceptively simple. His films are straightforward, there's not quick cuts, close ups, or anything too complicated yet both in terms of imagery and story there are immense depths behind them. The camera lets actions, places/sets, gestures and all merge to paint a picture a lot more powerful than a lot of films.

Thank you Cricket, it's a great feeling to see someone enjoy a film I love so much too

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I just read your review/write up of How Green Was My Valley, you're right, you didn't give away any of the story or plot. It's safe to read for those how haven't seen it yet

I personally think everyone avoiding reading other peoples write ups is counter productive to conversation and the spirit of HOFs. As long as we avoid spoiling the story for others...or if we do, just type ***SPOILERS*** then all should be cool.

I gave in and read it already anyway haha, and to anyone who hasn't read it he didn't give anything away.

There definitely is from what i've read. I've not seen much from either so won't attempt to say what it is exactly but from what i've read, Fords understated, simple way of approaching films whether it is his big, booming westerns or his smaller, more directly personal family films like this influenced several different movements; including the Japanese golden age and Italian Neo-Realism.

Think i've posted this before, whatever it's just the best. Guy seemed awesome:

Yeah Ford in person seemed great. He always denied that he was an artist or a "poet", insisted that people were overthinking and that he just shot films for work, but he must have known and realised the magnitude of his contribution to cinema really

Definitely. He started making films long before there was any movement to recognize them as art, so i think by the time people came around on them he was passed caring and especially in the 70s or whenever that clip was made 60 years into his directing career, he realized that people were now really impressed by him so he found it amusing to be as cryptic as possible.

You're from Wales Dan? This is me with my mother and uncle in Wales around 1980-

Your mom is hot!

She was a stripper

Are you kidding? She looks like a nice, happy person. It's a great photo.

I was kidding, I wish she was a stripper.

Where in Wales is that, Cricket?

hahahaha. Why? I love you, Cricket.

Great picture

That was wherever we were catching the boat back to england

My first thought from your picture was that your mom looked like Carol Vorderman -



It's not a clear picture so i'm not sure if she actually does, but yeah i agree with you Cricket your mom is hot. Also, i'll be back in a minute just scoring 'agreeing with someone that their mom is hot' off my "things that will never ever happen" list.