Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Milwr Bychan (1987)

A tough and uncompromising film. Young Welsh soldier Wil Thomas (Richard Lynch) is in jail after shooting a civilian during the Northern Irish Troubles. As his victim comes from an influential family, the Army won't sweep it under the carpet after pressure from the government (Bernard Hill). Thomas however, won't let the system break him no matter what sadism and brutality the Military Police deal out to him (and its a lot!)


The sad story is told in flashback as Thomas' love affair with a local girl Deirdre (Emer Gillespie) ends when she finds out the truth. The harsh realities of the Troubles and the repeated violence enough to brutalise any soul. The parallels between the Crown's indifference and disdain for the Northern Irish and the Welsh are made clear (if plastered on rather thick).

The narrative is a little too fragmented and this makes it difficult for the film to get much of a flow but it is riveting viewing. Low budget maybe but high impact.