The tight-knit Morgan Family lives in the small coal mining town of Cwm Rhondda situated in a valley in Wales. They live a modest life with a sturdy roof over their heads and meat on the table. Their story is told in flashbacks by Huw Morgan, an old man who has decided to leave the valley forever. Huw was the youngest (with quite an age gap) in a family of six brothers and one sister.

Huw's father, Mr. Morgan, rules with a heavy hand and is very controlling ("Who gave you permission to speak?"). The father and five of his sons all work in the mine for low wages. When the owner of the mine, Mr Evans, cuts their wages the boys move against their father to help form a union. When the boys set aside manners to speak again what the coal mine owners are doing at work the father asks them to get their clothes and leave because he will talk of it no further nor hear their opinions. The men go on strike for the first time lasting over 22 weeks. Because Mr. Morgan had opposed the strike the villagers turned on him. The strike brought "idleness" and "hardship" for everyone. When the strike is finally put to rest not all of the workers get their jobs back at the mine including two of Huw's brothers; Owen and Gwilym Jr. go off to America to seek their fortune.

Instead of carrying on with his studies Huw follows his brothers and father into the coal mine. He eventually moves in with his Sister-in-law to help her with his wages after her husband dies in the mine.

The film starts off as an upbeat version of what a coal miner's family life would have been like but quickly spotlights the reality of living in the turn of the century at the height of the introduction of unions, unsafe work conditions, societal expectations of women and social roles.

Maureen O'hara plays Angharad Morgan, the only daughter of the Morgan family. She shows her versatility with her Welsh accent, inner turmoil and family loyalty. She has a wonderful laugh! Maureen falls in love with the preacher and he with her but he refuses to let her suffer a poor life because of his work so she ends up marrying the miner owner's son (Iestyn Evans).

How Green Was My Valley has excellent location shots, lots of traditional welsh singsong for going to work, church, weddings and just because. Accents come and go. Despite being in at the turn of the century there always seems to be an abundance of food in the Morgan household to feed an army. It's really a touching film that deals lightly with tragedy and loss and love. How Green Was My Valley was based on the 1939 novel of the same name by Richard Llewellyn and it won five Academy Awards in 1941 including Best Picture.

Character / Actor:

Angharad Morgan - Maureen O'Hara
Ianto Morgan - John Loder
Ivor Morgan - Patric Knowles
Davy Morgan - Richard Fraser
Owen Morgan - James Monks
Gwilym Morgan Jr. - Evan S. Evans
Huw Morgan - Roddy McDowall
Gwilym Morgan (Mr.) - Donald Crisp
Beth Morgan (Mrs.) - Sara Allgood
Mr. Gruffydd (Preacher) - Walter Pidgeon
Bronwyn - Anna Lee
Narrator - Irving Pichel

How Green Was My Valley is available from Amazon.com.
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