Parents' Guide to

How Green Was My Valley

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Sentimental classic still tugs at the heartstrings.

Movie NR 1941 118 minutes
How Green Was My Valley Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Ken R.
Ken R. Adult
August 20, 2020
age 10+

How Green Was My Valley – Glows In The Dark

Anyone with a trained eye for perfect visual poetry will be left near breathless by numerous scenes within this classic John Ford drama. Director of photography Arthur Miller (Gentleman’s Agreement ‘47) works so astonishingly well with Ford that you will be left wondering who called what shot. I can just picture them sitting in the rushes viewing room, shedding tears of pure joy while seeing the fruits of their labour for the first time. The superb casting and script go hand in hand and are equally impressive as this polished story unfolds. For some of the more cynical modern critics and viewers, not used to this filmmaker’s style, it could be seen as a sentimentalised vision of life in a Welsh mining village of the era (and well it might be) - but it’s so well produced that honest or sensitive viewers won’t be without a warm glow in their hearts during many stirring scenes. The picture unfolds its story in a classic manner, without faltering or adding any unnecessary padding. If looking for stylish vintage movie making with epic momentum that doesn’t out-stay its welcome, you won’t go too wrong with a walk through this valley. Great production design and storytelling, with a marvellous narration by the great (black banned) actor, director, Irving Pichel (but substituted in original British release prints) It could perhaps be a little manipulative but undeniably one of the all-time film greats. The Twentieth Century Fox DVD re-mastering offers terrific images but the disc I had is slightly out of lip-sync (with the brown/green cover) so look for a later re-issue version.
Chris U.
Chris U. Adult
March 3, 2019
age 10+

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
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What's the Story?

Huw Morgan (Roddy McDowall) looks back on growing up in the late 1800s and early 1900s, remembering HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY before the years of mining coal took its toll on his family and his small town in Wales. Despite ups and downs, heartbreak and happiness, hardship and plenty, strong family ties see the Morgans through. Times change, loved ones sail to distant shores, and a young boy grows up treasuring the memories of the people and places dear to his heart.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (2):

Legendary director John Ford's quiet, loving study of character, family, and community is a moving portrait of a place in time and the people who lived it. Ford's been widely reported as saying that How Green Was My Valley was his favorite film, and it's easy to see why. Wonderful performances from the large cast of colorful characters, a hauntingly beautiful landscape artfully photographed in black and white, and a moving, sentimental story with just the right touch of bittersweet make it a great family choice.

As wonderful as it is, it's not likely to attract or hold the interest of the younger kids. The slow, quiet pace, lots of singing (in Welsh), and adult issues like hardship, unionizing, loveless marriage, and religious hypocrisy will go over their heads. Tweens and up will enjoy seeing the story through young Huw (sounds like "Hugh") Morgan's eyes. Don't be surprised if you, and they, need to reach for a tissue a time or two as the bonds of family, faith, and community are tested and proven strong.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about ways How Green Was My Valley shows family togetherness. What keeps the Morgans going through tough times?

  • How has the way schools and families handle bullying changed since the time of the movie? Did Huw handle it correctly? What would you have done?

  • What makes a movie a "classic"? Have you seen any current or recent movies that you think will become classics?

Movie Details

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