Those are the closing lines for this greatly edited version of Sean O'Casey's autobiographical story, given a fictional name (John Cassidy), yet obviously playing the great playwright who was equally as involved in freedom fighting in Ireland as he was in breaking into the theater. even the names of his plays are mentioned, with particular emphasis on "The Plough and the Stars", particularly because director John Ford (who spent two weeks directing this before leaving due to illness) directed a greatly edited film version of that play. The first half is mainly on Cassidy's family life, with hard-working, weary mother Flora Robson and sister Sian Phillips who is in a troubled marriage. at one point, Cassidy decides he wants to become literate and attempts to shoplift books from a shop run by the shy but sensible Maggie Smith. she senses something about him so she lets him take the books with promises to pay her later, and when he returns, it is obvious that our romance is growing. In time, he is breaking into the Abbey Theater, greatly mentored by Edith Evans and Michael Redgrave, and soon the toast of the Irish stage. but as his plays become more controversial, his relationship with the beautiful Maggie begins to take a toll as she sees how it has consumed him.
Ironically, 15 years after this, three of the film's actors (Smith, Robson and Phillips) were all cast in "Clash of the Titans". Smith get special billing in this film, obviously being pushed for stardom. She certainly is not your traditional Hollywood beauty, but she is definitely beautiful. Her character is sensible and loving, no-nonsense in a non-judgmental way, and certainly worthy of finding love. Her shyness had obviously kept her character from fully living life, but when she does discover love, it comes at a price that she is not willing to pay. The last scene between her and Taylor is heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, something seems to have been lost in the translation between page and film. it was based on a series of books and obviously was greatly edited. This could have been a good half-hour more and it would have come off more structured and detailed. The film is gorgeous to look at, and the score is breathtakingly beautiful. Julie Christie is on screen for maybe five minutes, possibly less, playing a prostitute who has an encounter with Taylor. Outside of Maggie Smith's scenes, the highlight is the goings-on at the first performance of one of Cassidy's controversial plays, nearly resulting in a riot. as much as I would love to rank this higher, it is a missed opportunity as far as really well-made drama is concerned, so I give it 9 Stars for the performances and technical detail and 5 for the film as a whole.
Ironically, 15 years after this, three of the film's actors (Smith, Robson and Phillips) were all cast in "Clash of the Titans". Smith get special billing in this film, obviously being pushed for stardom. She certainly is not your traditional Hollywood beauty, but she is definitely beautiful. Her character is sensible and loving, no-nonsense in a non-judgmental way, and certainly worthy of finding love. Her shyness had obviously kept her character from fully living life, but when she does discover love, it comes at a price that she is not willing to pay. The last scene between her and Taylor is heartbreaking.
Unfortunately, something seems to have been lost in the translation between page and film. it was based on a series of books and obviously was greatly edited. This could have been a good half-hour more and it would have come off more structured and detailed. The film is gorgeous to look at, and the score is breathtakingly beautiful. Julie Christie is on screen for maybe five minutes, possibly less, playing a prostitute who has an encounter with Taylor. Outside of Maggie Smith's scenes, the highlight is the goings-on at the first performance of one of Cassidy's controversial plays, nearly resulting in a riot. as much as I would love to rank this higher, it is a missed opportunity as far as really well-made drama is concerned, so I give it 9 Stars for the performances and technical detail and 5 for the film as a whole.