The Proud Valley

The Proud Valley

1h 16m 6.2/10

Overview

In a Welsh coal mining valley, a young man with a beautiful singing voice is called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice when a pit disaster threatens.

Director

L. C. Rudkin

Top Billed Cast

Rachel Thomas

Rachel Thomas

Mrs. Parry

Edward Rigby

Edward Rigby

Bert

Simon Lack

Emlyn Parry

Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson

David Goliath

Edward Chapman

Edward Chapman

Dick Parry

Dilys Thomas

Dilys Parry

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

4/4/2024

6/10

Paul Robeson has been drafted in to add his rich bass-baritone dulcets to the gorgeous sounds of a Welsh male voice choir in this otherwise rather formulaic story. He is "David" who works down a Welsh pit that is struggling to pay it's way. When a disaster strikes, the community all but grinds to an halt. No money, no jobs, no prospects - so he and a few of his cohorts decide to walk the 200-miles to London where they hope to implore the mine's owner "Sir John" (Ronald Ward) to let them try another, much riskier, route to a possible ten thousand tons of coal. It's the singing that sets this apart - and the ensemble songs at that. From Mendelssohn to traditional and rousing themes, the audio sometimes makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. There are some underplayed political under-tones, and one or two racial ones too at the beginning, but for the most part this is a testament to community strength, loyalty and determination that is worth a watch.

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