There’s an air of foreboding that’s immediately felt upon watching Days of Dylan Thomas. Narrator John Malcolm Brinnin describes the iconic poet as “a wild, loud mouthed, drunken Celt” who was simultaneously “doomed” and “damned.” This 20-minute documentary, originally produced in 1965 but restored this year, utilizes exquisite photos from photographer Rollie McKenna to lay out Thomas’s life, tracing his journey as a writer and poet, while simultaneously struggling with illness and alcoholism before his death at the age of 39.
The original 1960s release gives this an air of timelessness, not unlike Thomas’s poetry. Brinnin’s narration is authoritative but not sonorous. The tone of the documentary is informative, but never boring. There’s a sense of action in the editing of McKenna’s photographs, coupled with using actual recordings of Thomas himself, reading his poetry.
Thomas is best known to the layman as the poet of “Do not go gentle into that good night” but Days of Dylan Thomas packs in much more into a scant twenty minutes, specifically about his personal life. He describes his wife, Caitlin Thomas, as being like “the princess on top of a Christmas tree” and it’s clear their children led a bucolic upbringing. And yet Thomas seemed to push against that domesticity, continuing to chase fame and recognition. The use of his own poetry to accompany his life story shows the power he had with words, even if he didn’t feel he was doing enough. As the documentary ends, short and brief like Thomas’s own life, it’s impossible not to immediately want to read more of his work. Days of Dylan Thomas is a great introduction to the acclaimed poet’s life that gives a solid overview without belaboring things. It’ll make the viewer eager to learn more and will make you appreciate his phenomenal poetry. Recommended.
Which public library collections should include The Days of Dylan Thomas?
Days of Dylan Thomas is worth carrying in collections focused on poets and poetry, English, the English language, Welsh poets and literary geniuses. It can also be placed in curated collections focused on arts and literature, European poets, and famous writers. The movie is possible to show to all ages. Libraries that purchase literary documentaries would also do well to carry this.
What academic subjects or media education courses would benefit from this film?
The documentary can be used to explore the art of poetry, literary styles, and the history of Welsh writers. It can be used in conjunction with reading Thomas’s work. History and English classes can use the documentary to examine both Celtic history, as well as the role poetry played within it.