Today, of course, the main selling point is Richard Burton in his first film role and in the event it is a disappointment because the magnificent voice has yet to achieve that unique timbre and in terms of acting Emlyn William's screenplay doesn't give him much scope. On the other hand we can rejoice in the superlative performance from Edith Evans who walks away with everything except the director's viewfinder. Taking a leaf out of Noel Coward's book Williams wrote himself a meaty part and played it to the full, as the once-scorned local boy who left the village, made good, and is now back, unrecognized, having brokered a deal to have the village flooded to provide water for Lancashire. It's a time-capsule of a movie providing a glimpse of a lost world in more ways than one and most of the cast are up to snuff but the ridiculously contrived ending lets it down at the very end.
Review of Woman of Dolwyn
