Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Anoushka Slater
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Roxie
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
Erick-12
I agree with many of the review comments already posted here, so I won't say more about the film itself. Instead, it hasn't yet been pointed out that the DVD (produced by Sundance and Hart Sharp Video) also contains an hour-long documentary about Dylan Thomas, tucked away in the extra features. "Dylan on Dylan" is in some ways more interesting than the film adaptation of _Under Milkwood_. It runs through a biography of him along with old photos and audio, bits of biodrama reenacted, and especially includes footage from the WWII wartime morale propaganda films that Dylan Thomas wrote! One of those is a genuinely forceful parody: he appropriated the original propaganda film made _for_ Hitler by Reni Riefenstahl, and redid the sound -- so that Hitler's speech is more of an honest description. This feature documentary also includes a brief interview with two actresses who performed with Dylan Thomas live in _Under Milkwood_ virtually on the same day that he collapsed and died.
Timothy Phillips
The movie is a painting of scenes, and a romance with English words that, oddly enough, only Celtic people seem capable of; Welshman Burton's riveting voice gives life to his countryman's work like perhaps none living could, today . The language is so lively and the metaphors so concentrated that the film may leave some scratching their heads; but for lovers of poetry, or literature at large, this well-conceived and directed interpretation of Dylan is worth the viewing. Peter O'Toole and Elizabeth Taylor give interesting performances, and the film contains several scenes that will stay with the viewer long after the film is over. The lush countryside of seaside Wales, and the sleepy little village in which the action plays out, are also quite haunting. Llareggub, indeed.
KarateKari
First, a caveat: What I'm about to say is in regards to this film version only. The play itself is beautiful. I'm currently involved in a stage production of Dylan Thomas's "Under Milk Wood." The language is nothing short of breathtaking. Truly, it's a beautiful play.Very minor spoilers ahead:However, this film version of "Under Milk Wood" is nothing short of ridiculous. Large chunks of the wonderful narration have been left out, chronology changed, and general mayhem has been wreaked with the script. There are two creepy guys (accompanied by creepy music) who wander around the town, but appear to serve no real purpose. They don't narrate (as Voice One and Voice Two in the script do). They simply wander around creepily, and at one point have completely random, completely gratuitous tag-team (fully clothed) sex in a barn with some random woman. I'm left wondering, "What on earth were the people who made this movie thinking?" Thomas's script does not, in fact, include tag-team sex in a barn. I can see no reason whatsoever for this particular addition to have been made. It's ridiculous.This is not to say that the film has no redeeming qualities. The woman who played Mrs. Banks in "Mary Poppins" turns in a nice performance as Myfanwy Price. Peter O'Toole plays a fairly good Captain Cat. The actress who plays Mae Rose Cottage does a lovely job. Mr. Pugh is played quite well.On the flip side, Liz Taylor's portrayal of Rosie Probert is forgettable. Mrs. Pugh provides little motivation for her husband's intense hatred. The two creepy guys succeed in being creepy, but may as well have wandered on from another set for all the reason they seem to have for being in the film at all. Nogood Boyo is very badly cast, and may as well have been renamed Nogood 30-Year-Old Guy.All in all, I can't say I'm at all impressed with this film. If you want to know "Under Milk Wood," you'd be better off by far just reading the play then watching this bastardization of such a lovely work.
drew-121
There is no way on earth that this film can ever compare visually with the lyrical lines written by Dylan Thomas.Although it is nice to hear Burton speak the words of his great idol, the inclusion of Elizabeth Taylor as Rosie Probert is a mistake.Full marks to Peter O'Toole for a fine effort as Captain Cat.
