Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
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Here in Wales, we are extremely proud of our mountainous landscape. The 1995 film, "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" is based on a true story that exemplifies that pride. The title of the film is a synopsis of the plot in itself. The film is set in 1917 in a small welsh village, Ffynnon Garw, which is overlooked by what is fondly referred to by the villagers as "the mountain". The villagers are understandably horrified when two English cartographers employed by Her Majesty's Ordnance Survey Office arrive, saying that their mountain is only hill!!
You see a mountain has to be at least 1,000 feet high. Anything smaller than this is a large hill - and Ffynnon Garw's mountain was only 984 feet. Ah, but all is not lost. This was but a preliminary reading. To get an accurate reading, the cartographers have to triangulate Ffynnon Garw with a nearby mountain whose height is already known. The villagers have to act quickly. Somehow, Ffynnon Garw needs to grow by 16 feet and quickly.
The villagers form a plan (you will have to watch the film to find out what it is) and set about their task. More time is needed to complete their mission and so a number of tactics are put into play to delay the cartographers from completing their second survey (again watch it to see what these
are). The villagers are hindered by the good old welsh weather, rain! As the grandfather in film wisely says, "The truth is that, while we Welsh like to believe that it was the mountains that beat the successive invaders, it was really the weather that comes with mountains. It was the rain that defeated every invader." Would the rain defeat the Welsh themselves though?
Christopher Monger both wrote the screenplay for the film and directed it. Monger said that he was told the story by his grandfather, Ivor Monger. Indeed this is the basis of the film. A narrator's voice opens the film which takes us to a young unnamed boy (played by Harry Kretchmer) and his grandfather (played by Jack Walters). As the grandfather weaves his tale, we are taken back in time to watch the story in action.
Ffynnon Garw is of course a fictional location. Monger was however born in Taff's Well near to Cardiff which in Welsh is Ffynnon Taf co-incidentally. The mountain overlooking Taff's Well is Garth Mountain. The scenes of the village came not from Taff's Well - it is now too built up to realistically portray 1917village life. The actual filming was completed in North Wales at the village of Llanrhaeadr-yn-Mochnant and the hill that is Gyrn Moelfre (here perhaps I should explain the title of this review moel is welsh for hill a bi-lingual pun no less). There can be nothing but praise for cinematographer, Vernon Layton for his atmospheric almost nostalgic filming.
The characters in the film are all larger that life. The Englishman of the title is Reginald Anson, played by Hugh Grant. Reginald is a shy, stuttering and always-sorry man who desperately does not want to offend the local villagers which of course he ways does. Hugh Grant is at his charming best in this role.
His partner in crime, fellow Englishman and cartographer George Garrad, played by Ian McNeiceis is an arrogant stuffed-shirt of a man who views the Welsh as little more than savages. McNiece puffs himself up with such absurd pomposity that is simply irresistible.
A contrasting duo reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy perhaps?
The Reverend Jones, played by Kenneth Griffith, is a passionate man whose hail-and-brimstone sermons are damningly motivating. So passionate about the morality of preserving the mountain's status, the reverend feels it is his duty and right to use not-so-moral ways of doing so. Griffiths' performance as he shakes with rage is scaringly wonderful.
Tara Fitzgerald, who was paired with Grant previously in the film Sirens, plays the love interest, Betty of Cardiff. As with Sirens, the chemistry between the pair is captivating. Betty of Cardiff is the village secret weapon - a pleasant diversion that could perhaps develop into something more.
The supporting characters, most of whom are named in the iconic welsh style by linking an occupation to the name, are caricatures of some of the eccentric folk still found in most Welsh village communities. There is Williams the Petroleum, Ivor the Grocer, Thomas the Trains, Davies the School and best of all, Evans the End of the World. The most important of these is the pub landlord, Morgan the Goat played by Colm Meaney (Miles O'Brien of Star Trek fame).
The Villagers are all played by welsh actors with real welsh accents (thanks to excellent casting by Michelle Guish) which is a real bonus.
Stephen Endelman has created a bright and light score which keeps the tone light in fitting with the story. Endelman uses a plethora of instruments including bagpipes and pennywhistles which enhances the enchantment of the film. Listen out for "The Rain" accompanied by the rich sonorous sounds of the Gwalia male voice choir and the final song "Magnificent Peak" sung by Sian James.
The film is an easy-going (some may even say slow) witty comedy. It charms and delights, enticing the watcher into the story. The fact that it is based on a true story multiples that charm. Although it touches on the post-war effects on man and country, the film never goes deeper than the surface of these issues. It is kept light celebrating British eccentricity - both English and Welsh. "The Germans have taken our lads and now the English have taken our mountain. Is nothing sacred?"
The film is rated PG although I am not sure why. There is no sex, no violence, and no bad language - unless you count the irreverent use of God.
The film itself is readily available for as little as £5.99. I thoroughly recommend the film - a lovely Sunday afternnoon relax perhaps.
Pictures
Hugh Grant
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Screen favourite Hugh Grant (Four Weddings And A Funeral) stars as a young mapmaker who ... more
offends an entire town by declaring their prized landmark too short to be called a mountain. But he soon finds the eccentric locals, led by an outspoken innkeeper (...
![The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain [DVD] [1995]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/70074945.jpg "The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But Came Down A Mountain [DVD] [1995]")
May 27th, 2006
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