Under Milk Wood (1972)

This is an enjoyable enough adaptation of Dylan Thomas' story of the lives of a small Welsh fishing community with a name (read it backwards) that pretty much sets the tone for this whimsical tale that mixes sex, poetry, lust and mischief through characterisations lead by the blind "Capt. Tom Cat" (Peter O'Toole); his slatternly pal "Rosie Probert" (Elizabeth Taylor) and the sexy Glynis Johns - all underpinned by a wonderfully mellifluous narrative from Richard Burton. As a book it allows your imagination to run wild; as a film - and particularly this one - the imagination is replaced by rather unimaginative imagery that over-relies on the stars and underplays the subtlety and nuance of the work. Some things are best left to our own fantasy - or, perhaps, to the radio where again the audience must do most of the thinking. Cinema bursts the bubble and leaves all with the one interpretation that stifles, somewhat, individual appreciation of the eccentricities of this sexually charged, frequently comical story. Clearly a labour of love for Burton and still well worth a watch, but a bit underwhelming.