dbdumonteil The only movie made by talented actor Roddy McDowall whose career began when he was a child ("how green was my valley" "Lassie come home" ),who gave a memorable portrayal of Octavian in the underrated "Cleopatra" ,but who is best remembered as Cornelius in "planet of the apes " (1968 and sequel except for the second one) This would have worked in a better way as a costume drama;transposed to the late sixties time and its hippies ,it does not really make it.If it had not been for Mrs Gardner,who,even when she was aging ,was a feast for the eye ,I would have quit before the end ;based on an old folk song "the ballad of Tam-Lin" ,as performed by Sandy Denny and Fairport Convention (which can be found on their "liege and lief" album) ,the screenplay tries to follow the words to the song but there's nothing romantic because there is no magic in the air :it's the story of a wealthy (and still attractive )woman who,like the Eagles sing ,has a lot a lot of pretty boys (and girls) she calls friends .In her memoirs ,Ava Gardner does not write a single line about it.The fear of getting old had already been treated anyway,as far as she was concerned ,in John Huston's superb "night of the iguana",which she appreciated very much and which I recommend .

fastfilmhh One should be a fan of British cinema, retro pop culture, fantasy/folklore, and personal auteur-ship for maximum enjoyment of this likable but format-challenged film from the late 1960's/early 70's. I sure am, and as such quite savored this cinematic retelling of the Tam Lin ballad.It's sufficiently enjoyable that I immediately transferred the VHS tape to DVD for future viewings. One suspects it had been slated for same, what with its 17 minute director's introduction, but remained lost in the ether of Republic Pictures' post-demise assorted distribution deals. One further suspects that its release under of aegis of an Ava Gardner tribute series was the ticket for its seeing light of day at all post theatrical debut. It's been written that Roddy McDowell lost control of this, his only directed film, with it subsequently languishing in drive-ins of the 1970's under such noms-du-exploitation as "The Devil's Widow!" As McDowell's sole direction job, this is a movie one ever so wants to be as good as Charles Laughton's similar solo effort "Night of the Hunter," which it isn't and cannot be, as few films can match "Hunter's" expert, mannerist weirdness. McDowell's is a B+ to Laughton's A+. What is it does share is the quirkiness of a singular vision, seeming unlike anything else of its respective era while still conforming to mainstream requisites, and the retelling of a dreamy but occasionally frightening fairy tale in modern clothes, with assorted decidedly odd touches. A true loss to cinema that both actors never directed another film.Simply put, it's the ballad of Tam Lin (its original title in fact) retold with late '60's characters, and peopled with a cast of still working, familiar British names like Ian McShane (representing the titular captured knight Tam Lin,) Joanna Lumley and Stephanie Beacham (the Hammer horror ingénue, here as the ballad's Janet) with both Cyril and Sinead Cusack in tow. Gardner as the controlling "Faerie Queen" seems an apt focus of the swirling debaucheries and cruelties rationalized as group activity fun. This, strangely, isn't so much part of the fantasy as modern viewers might conclude: some of us who were adolescents in the '60's remember the genuine, wealthy older types lending their mansions to us young'uns in order to share in the decadent fun, whether vicariously or actively.In "Tam Lin" you'll find a little seen but quite good updated fairy story, plus amusing music from jazz to the Pentangle, great costuming, retro period fun, gorgeous Scottish border scenery and an always great to watch cast. Time for whoever owns Republic's split assets this week to fund that DVD release.

Dan1863Sickles Groovy! Roddy McDowell took the ancient fairy tale of TAM LIN -- a young knight captured by an evil witch, then saved by a fair damsel -- and turned it into a very demure slice of psychedelic romance. The daring camera angles and bizarre soundtrack make the movie work most of the time, but now and then the weird factor just turns funny.Ava Gardner, well over forty, plays the "immortal" Mrs. Cazaret. She's still an attractive lady, sort of, but not enough to be "hypnotic" and "irresistable." Between her and the young man she's entrancing, there is not a trace of attraction or chemistry. The scenes between the young man and his fair young maid are a bit better, but still lacking a certain natural sexual punch.The problem is, there are about a dozen gorgeous extras lounging around in most of the scenes, including a couple of famous faces. Watch for a luscious young Sinead Cusack and an even sexier young Joanna Lumley, both decked out in scrumptious Carnaby Street finery and looking ever so fresh and primly desirable. The movie would have worked much, much better if these two had had a larger part. Mrs. Cazaret should have used them to keep her young man satisfied. It's so easy to visualize him rising from her bed, seeing how tired and blowzy she looks in the morning light, and heading for the door -- only to be headed off by Sinead Cusack and Joanna Lumley. The two of them ask him to do something quite innocent and sweet -- like have some breakfast, or go for a walk in the garden. But as they ask, they also rub against him, licking his neck and purring into his ear, and before long he's forgotten all about escaping from Mrs. Cazaret!

williamsswilliamsdwillia I enjoyed Ava Gardner's sense of age of Aquarius presence for the film. I would have appreciated seeing more films directed by Roddy McDowall. True works of art always have always been birthed from turmoil. The male leads were memorable (Ian McShane)…."You wasted my life….You won't let me go…". The movie helped me respect my middle-age and desire to have something more to life than impending old age and empty nest syndrome. I can't wait to find a bright orange outfit like the one Ava wore in the opening scene. "Give him back……." (so memorable). The character's Scottish retreat appears to offer the viewer a permanent round of relaxation and welcome (along with a picnic basket of memorable one liners!) All the characters were interesting to watch unfold - male accountant; (my favorite was the fortune teller. The plot moves too quickly to convey very mature feelings in a immature world of valley of the doll babies. Tom makes the potentially fatal error of falling in love with the daughter of the local vicar – he should have stayed with Micky. This movie was not sluggish and uneventful; it gets better as it progresses into the story. I would recommend this film as a sleeper and a keeper! (smile)