|
|
The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin) |
 |
The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin)
|
by Republic Pictures
Sales Rank: 22328
Price: $14.98
|
|
|
This was a 1971 movie that was directed by Roddy McDowell. It was filmed in 1968 (or '69), but shelved until late '71. After a limited airing in the theaters, it pretty much disappeared, until 1998, when Republic Pictures finally made it available on VHS. And this is an excellent example of why you should hold on to your VCRs when you upgrade to DVD: there are still titles out there not available on DVD and this is one of them. <br /> <br />I was aware of Tam Lin, not as a movie, but a traditional folk song from the British Isles, especially from a version Fairport Convention did on their highly acclaimed Liege & Lief (1969) album. Much more recently I discovered there was a movie directed by Roddy McDowell, starring American-born actress Ava Gardner, plus Stephanie Beacham (who appeared on Hammer Flicks like Dracula A.D. 1972, plus in the 1990s, Seaquest DSV) which was based on this traditional folk song. Also on this film was Joanna Lumley, who appeared on Hammer flicks too like Stephanie Beacham, and more recently, the Absolutely Fabulous TV series. Well, for a 1971 movie, it does seem a bit dated even by 1971 standards, with that groovy, "swingin' '60s" feel throughout, but that's only because it was filmed about three years earlier. At first I found this movie a bit drawn-out and lacking plot, but it really grew on me, especially those rustic scenes set in the Scottish countryside. Like the song, the movie was based on a lover's triangle, which included a young man named Tam Lin (played by Ian McShane, with a more modern Anglo name of Tom Lynn in this movie), the Fairy Queen Mickey Cazaret, and the vicar's daughter, Janet Ainsley, played by Beacham, and the consequences of betrayal. This isn't one of those high-paced big budget Hollywood type films, but one of those type of films you expect American International Pictures to release (in fact AIP did release it here in the States, but unfortunately this VHS, or the commentary from McDowell that begins the tape, makes no mention of this). <br /> <br />There's also the music worth mentioning. There's a rather groovy song that you hear near the beginning of the movie. I saw one source state it was The Pentangle, but that's highly doubtful (I suspect Salena Jones), as that band tended to be quite acoustic, and this was a heavily electric number with horns (and besides Danny Thompson wouldn't play anything other than the stand-up bass he named "Victoria" which he bought when he was young, and this song has plenty of electric bass, and only John Renbourn would touch an electric guitar, in the Pentangle's early '70s stuff like Cruel Sister, in a rather low-key fashion). The film does credit both The Pentangle and Salena Jones for providing music. But what can't be denied is The Pentangle did do a version of "Tam Lin" just for this film. It sounds completely different from the version Fairport Convention did, it was a slower ballad, heavily acoustic, and with sitar (which the band used on their highly acclaimed 1969 album Basket of Light). In fact this piece could've fit easily on Basket of Light, with plenty of the great trademarks you come to expect from The Pentangle, not to mention Jacqui McShee's wonderful voice. Unfortunately their version of "Tam Lin" can only be found on this movie, it never appeared on any of their albums, not even as any bonus cuts on any recent CD reissue, so if you're a fan of The Pentangle, this is the only place you get to hear their version of "Tam Lin". Honestly I prefer Fairport's version over this version, but that's just happened to be my taste. Another thing not denied is Salena Jones did do "Sun In My Eyes" which tended to be a rather lounge-y number, but no surprise as you hear her (and see her) sing that song as Tom Lynn and Mickey Cazaret (Ava Gardener) talk in a lounge. <br /> <br />Anyway, because Tam Lin (the movie) failed miserably, Roddy McDowell decided never to direct again and stick to what he knew best: acting. But remember that this is a movie you won't get the first few times you see it. It tends to be artsy, with some psychedelic overtones at time. It might drag on at times, but it is a rather nice movie.
Viewer Reviews
I really wish a DVD existed of this movie! In 1972, I was channel-surfing in the middle of the night and came upon an airing of Tam Lin, halfway through the movie. I was 19 then, and the movie seemed mystical and surreal to me; for quite a while I could not figure out what was going on except it involved Janet and Ian and Ava and ominous overtones, and I was blown away. As the movie neared the end I recognized the Tam Lin theme, but the movie was shown under the Devil's Widow title and "modernized", although the music seemed to have appropriate medieval overtones...but I never made a firm link to Tam Lin until years later ...and I never saw the movie again. But I'd like to, because it seemed to me that it suceeded in conveying the atmosphere of Faerie and the glamor (in its old sense) that confuses and enthralls mortals who happen to collide with "the Good Folk".
Back To Top
|
The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin)
Available from Amazon
|
|
NOTICE: All product prices, availability, and specifications
are subject to verification by their respective retailers.
Copyright © 2009, Dominant Systems Corporation
info@HowlingVideo.com
Privacy Policy
Last Modified : 1-7-2009
|
