The greatest movie ever made..!

Memorable, crazy movie

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I profess that I have a love for good films about teaching. This one stars Bette Davis as Lilly Moffatt, a spinster schoolteacher, whose desires for elevating the minds of young people who are destined to a life of coal mining in a Welsh community, becomes focused on the promising talents of Morgan Evans, a young man who shows a spark of superior intellect.Miss Davis is well suited to her role, a woman of restrained passions. While watching her, there are moments when I sense similarities with the acting style of Meryl Streep.The rest of the cast is quite good. John Dall, in his film debut, plays Mr. Evans. It is an inspired performance that earned an Academy Award nomination. Based upon a true story, TCIG invites comparisons to "My Fair Lady" and, especially, "Spencer's Mountain" in regard to the central story about molding a young mind. I have one criticism. The singing vocals are so strong that they are distracting. A small group of young, work-weary miners should not sound like the men's chorus at the Met, for example. Miss Moffatt might be seen by some as selfless in her dedication to higher principles. She denies herself of so much in her pursuit of education. But hers is a selfish campaign for transformation-of a man, a town, perhaps a country. She trades something of lesser value for something of greater value, so she does not sacrifice, even in her final dramatic decision. And it is her pursuit of a greater purpose that gives her story nobility. And the pleasure she finds in her achievements can only be seen as justifiable and virtuous.

To be honest, except for the fact that I was a school teacher for many years, there is little in this film that would normally appeal to me. Yet, I find it an unusually delightful film.Welsh coal miners. No interest for me there. Yet, I found the story fascinating, particularly as it related to child labor. It's a wonderful story, in places depressing, in other places heartwarming.But the strength here is the acting, starting with Bette Davis. For me, the period between 1939-1946 was Davis' best, and this is just another example of how wonderful she could be in films. And, this is slightly against type -- not a bit bitchy here! But her character is determined, and it works very well for her as the school teacher. Incidentally, the makeup making her look older is superb.It's too bad that wonderful Nigel Bruce is stuck once again playing a bit of an buffoon. Definitely typecast as the squire.John Dall, who didn't make many films, is superb. He plays the part of the young coal miner who is intellectually gifted with finesse.Rhys Williams turns in another wonderful character performance, as does Mildred Dunnock as the teacher-assistant. Why Joan Lorring was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar, I don't know.I do have an issue with the ending of the film. Yes, it is a complex moral dilemma. However, the solution to the dilemma was -- in my view -- 50% WRONG.Aside from that, I can find little in the film to criticize, and much to acclaim.

Definately a must see! Davis's performance was remarkable, subdued but full of emotion and depth without over acting. The actor playing Morgan Evan's is very remarkable being his first film. He and Davis exchange witty banter that makes you appreciate both actors without taking any of the lime light away from the other. The characters were complex and showed facets of ourselves. This movie really makes you think. It's my favorite Davis picture. The themes were very mature and ahead of their time. It's sort of like a early Peyton Place!

"How Green Was My Valley" : "Showboat" :: "The Corn is Green" : "Stepnfetchit". I saw this movie some thirty years ago and hated it. Thinking my reaction may have just been some childish freak, when it was shown on the local public station recently, I watched it again. It was worse than I remembered.