I love Michael Sheen. Although, for me, he is forever typecast as PM Tony Blair. I would go for Ioan Gruffudd.

Ifans for me pushes too many comedy buttons by pure association.

Michael Sheen? - versatile actor, not very macho but a chameleon and very proud Welshman.

Russ Crowe? - too typecast by Maximus and Robin Hood now surely.

Ioan Gruffudd? - too pretty perhaps?

This guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwan_Rheon looks gruff enough also

Of course doesn't have to be a taffy - as long as the accent if genuinely good (i.e. not William Hurt/ Colm Meaney!)

Hi Ceri mate,

I'll have a go tonight putting reviews on the bookstore and yes, I'd be very proud to be your film official film reviewer!

Just to say again and for all - I think you've done such an amazing job getting this site together. It makes me really proud. I'm not a nationalist sort by nature and in fact, If I were to come from a large imperialist country you'd probably find me among the biggest dissenters. But when you delve into the history of the Welsh (incidentally not taught to our kids in schools) you can see how incredible it is that we're still here at all. And the fact that Cymraeg still exists and is championed in places like this gives me so much hope that all is not lost.

Anyway, back to Glyndwr....

Personally, I want an independent Wales. I think it's the ONLY way to reinvigorate the language in schools and to make us a totally bilingual country. The advantages of which are clear to anybody who has ever tried to learn a foriegn language as an adult. To link the point to the thread I suspect that more than any other political campaigning, more than any Welsh Assembly at home - the biggest and best thing Wales could do to gain support for herself within Wales and from the apathetic Welsh population - is to get a rousing movie made. Not just something 'set in Wales' - but something that touches on Welsh themes and identity in a positive, populist way. I think the only way you get that made is by backing from US studios and US dollars.

Nick

In this context you might enjoy reading the following article over on the bookstore about an old S4C series on Owain:- http://www.welsh-american-bookstore.com/index.php/Guest-Articles/filming-owain-glyndwr-david-barry.html

Incidentally ...did you have any joy with the bookstore login process? If you want to post reviews there ( or even snippets with 'Read more' links to your blog ) please feel free Heck we can make you our official AmeriCymru film reviewer if you like.

Wow, both those stories are really annoying.

So now my vote is totally Rhys Ifans as Owain Glyndwr.

Yes, that would be perfect casting!

Often wonder the same thing mate re: actors - or related to it, sometimes you'd think the Welsh thesps never speak about where they're from. For example, I recently watched the DVD extras for Silence of the Lambs. The supporting actors are all gushing about the "polite little Englishman" Anthony Hopkins.

I mean, you'd think being on set with them for a few months, that he'd say something wouldn't you? Or worse to contemplate, maybe he did tell them but, being north American, they just didn't get it?

The blind spot the rest of the English-speaking world has for Wales is considerable and can't be underestimated. Evidenced when Tom Cruise saw the film Twin Town and then hired Dougarry Scott for Mission Impossible 2. When asked how he found the then-unknown Dougarry, on another set of DVD extra interviews, Cruise replies "I first saw Dougarry when I saw the Scottish film Twin Town!"

Twin Town has a reference to Wales more or less in every scene and Cruise has grandparents from Flintshire! Yet he couldn't recognize Twin Town as a Welsh film. It really is bizarre how we continually slip under the radar.

True that....I don't see Hollywood making a movie about Nye Bevan anytime soon but as you rightly say we have some great medieval stuff.

Very much so Ceri. Of course one of the problems with selling Welshness to the USA could very well be that the history of Modern Wales, is very much the history of the left. Socialism, welfare state, chartists, protest- not themes that tend to go down too well in certain parts.

Madoc, Rhdori the Great, Llewellyn Y Olaf, Glyndwr, Dic Penderyn, Iolo Morganwg - there's a hilarious comedic tale right there.

Personally I'd love to see a movie made about this guy:- http://americymru.net/profiles/blogs/welsh-american-chartist-john-rees

Just wanted to bump this thread after reading a few of it's pages.

Great to see so many people talking about this over the course of the last few years. If anyone would like to read my essay/article about the need for and lack of Welsh film representation, it is here on my new blog.

http://wibbleclarkeblog.tumblr.com/post/66574487958/its-a-celtic-country-isnt-it-wales-on-screen-wales

Rather than an effort on self promotion (which would also be nice) I'd just like people to consider that there are MANY tales from Wales that could be adapted for the screen and could sell Welshness to the world. So many stories and most importantly - we shouldn't EVER worry about historical accuracy. So if somebody had an idea for a Glyndwr film that required an actor in his 30s - it doesn't matter folks just run with the idea and talk about it. This is the power of mythology.

Nick

The weird thing is, if Mel Gibson directed it, we probably would see a trilingual version (after all, he did "The Passion of the Christ" in Aramaic - even though the New Testament was originally written in Greek - and "Apocalypto" in Zacatecas, the language of the Aztecs). And the real nitty-gritty violence would be in place, since Mel never flinches from bloody battle scenes. But he and Randall Wallace, William Wallace's descendant, did take a LOT of liberties with history in "Braveheart," so maybe not. It would have to be someone willing make it as authentic as possible and true to history. I don't know of the director or screenplay writer who could make that happen, though.

G'day

Apologies - somehow I missed that. I'm sure you're right about Wrexham.

Gaynor

Actually I thought we had mentioned him, also I believe his family came from Wrexham which is Glyndwr country!

We haven't mentioned Russell Crowe, who I believe has Welsh ancestry somewhere along the line.

This discussion is entirely new to me. It surely has to be Ioan Gruffudd and the film would have to be made in Welsh with English subtitles. However, if Wesley Snipes is willing to learn Welsh, I don't see why he couldn't be in it (that goes for Steven Seagal too).

You point out that Timothy Dalton is not "racially Welsh" and then suggests Christian Bale who has always said "I'm not Welsh I was just born there"If you were to have a blockbuster type film made about Glyndwr, first I would not have it made in Hollywood and 2nd I would find a good Welsh actor who has not be seduced by the lights of LA. Ioan Gruffudd has talked about making a film of Hornblower but nothing about Owain!

Diolch for cross posting Nathan...and I really hope Hollywood never gets its hands on John Cowper Powys. Cant see them ever doing that justice. Think I'd rather see the Lars von Trier version with a completely star free cast

I've long harboured a wish to see John Cowper Powys's magical historical novel Owen Glendower brought to the screen. It almost reads like a screenplay... As a non-American Welshman I'd rather NOT see Hollywood tackle it. If Wales can win awards for Hedd Wyn it could make its own tri-lingual Owain Glyndwr movie - in Welsh, English and French - and receive international praise and support. We have the resources. Something real, gritty and at least partly in Cymraeg... Bring it on!

I've long harboured a wish to see John Cowper Powys's magical historical novel Owen Glendower brought to the screen. It almost reads like a screenplay... As a non-American Welshman I'd rather NOT see Hollywood tackle it. If Wales can win awards for Hedd Wyn it could make its own tri-lingual Owain Glyndwr movie - in Welsh, English and French - and receive international praise and support. We have the resources. Something real, gritty and at least partly in Cymraeg... Bring it on!

Of course he is....I stand corrected

Isn't the question, Who would play the younger Owain Glyndwr ................ as of this minute he is still alive

Me

How about Rhys Ifans..he comes from Rhuthun not far from Glyndyfrdwy which was Owain Glyndwr's power base alongside Sycharth

I think Ken's plots are more historical...

I think you might have to sober-up the young welsh girls firs, especially if you are planning a weekend raid. Can't imagine it will be a pleasant trip back to the US in your Viking canoes. Better if you tow them behind you on a rubber dinghy,

Best of luck

Angharad Evans

Actually, I was thinking that a better plan would be to land in Wales and tell them that we were there to get rid of the Saxons (the English are Germans, as far as the Welsh are concerned) out of the British Isles. That way, you'd have won the hearts of the Welsh, and they would be more than happy to join up. I also like the idea of carting off a lot of Welsh women, but there are too many good looking ones, so that could end up being a full time job, preventing us from ever reaching England! If you like Scots whisky, you'll love Penderyn, Welsh whisky (seriously good stuff). And you are right about what the English think passes for good food. And if you are fond of Guinness, we may have to hit Ireland on the way, and if we tell the Irish we are there to kick the Saxons out of England, they are likely to want to join up too! When do we board to hit the seas for discovering Europe?

What outrageousness? I thought Ken's commentary to be delightfully insightful and well thought out. Ken, when you decide to sail for Wales, let me know as I would like to go with you... after all, you will need someone to translate for you, or at least make sure you are well provisioned with Penderyn. uummm, can I ask a favor? Would you put me in charge of tasting the Penderyn to make sure it is fit for your people?Thanks, Supreme Chief of All Europe.B

Brilliant choice Bob. I fully concur.

"... will give Charles and Camilla forty acres and a mule!"Hahahahahaha! Ah, Ken, was just thinking about you and missing your fabulous outrageousness!

There is already a well developed script in the works for a feature film - not to discourage you from developing your own script but it is to be shot in Wales with an international cast and director (Clint Eastwood was the last talked about one). Perhaps you could get involved in the project? http://owainglyndwrmovie.com/index.html

Jonathan Pryce. Remember that Owain was in his 50s when he started his war for independence not a punk kid like Wallace.

I completely agree with Michael Sheen portraying Owain. He's a phenomenal talent & I'm convinced that he could take on any role.

I don't think "Hollywood" would ever make a Glyndwr pic...I don't think that the interest would be there. The film Ironclad that was filmed here last year would be a good test case (despite it being set in England it was filmed entirely in Wales) for the genre, so you never know - people within the industry may start to look around for similar inspiration.If anything it would be the UK film industry that brings it to the screen, ideally making it in Wales. It may attract public funding due to its cultural/historical potential, and I'm sure that the Film Agency for Wales would jump at the chance to look at a script. Still, wouldn't hold your breath though...

Sad to say that, although it looked good some of the acting in it was great, The Edge of Love was something of a flop. I think that from that initial 700,000 investment the Assembly received a 70k return. Word around Cardiff is that due to some similar investments the value of the Wales Creative IP Fund is being questioned. It's a shame, but like most public services in the UK it's going to have its budget slashed...which can't be a good thing for film in Wales

Yes he looks the part, I agree, and his resume is top notch, however I'm a purist in these matters and believe he'd have great difficulty with sounding authentic as Owain Glyndwr.I want Glyndwr to deliver a convincing Welsh lilt, else he'll appear weak and undignified in his characterisation.I've said it before and I'm sticking to my guns Michael Sheen is the front runner in my opinion. His delivery of characterisations such as Kenneth Williams, David Frost, Tony Blair and Brian Clough is superlative.He is truly untouchable and would be a matchless Owain.Have a great Sunday folks, it's looking like a good day ahead here on Gower Peninsular - will be off to Rhossili soon with the dogs for a blast on the beach! Yes, that beach that won the Best Beach in the UK recently in a Daily Mail poll of readers!Hwyl Fawr, Rhianne aka LadyBizBiz on Twitter.

If anyone was serious about running with this project there is a studio which Im working on a TV series and film with that would most probably be very interested as in the concept, I can float the idea if you want with the owner of the Studio.For the Owain Glyndwr (OG) character I'd go for Peter Wingfield he would be ideal and hes from Cardiff the same as Ceri and I. I don't know what projects he's on at the moment I know he's got a gig in Sanctuary but I dont know how frequently the character re-occurs and has done 10,000 days which is a web series waiting for pick up. You will have trouble getting in contact as his Agent in The Characters Talent Agency VA aren't that helpful and his UK rep from Ilford isn't much cop either.I had an offer of a joint male lead in a high profile film in Development which would have been ideal for him the same as the OG role would be after seeing him in The Last Sin Eater (2007) but I had to withdraw the offer not because of the Talent (P.Wingfield) but because of his representation.This actor would be good as well, he isnt Welsh but does play a good Welshman. Can I suggest you look at this imdb link http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0185404/ he could look the part with a beard which he has worn before. I never even thought of this actor until I was discussing this subject with a print Entertainment columnist who was sent check discs of his work for review.If anyone wants to discuss this further let me know as we could work it as an ex-patriot Welsh community effort and even launch at an Eisteddfod.

check out the credits on the new Robin Hood movie. They were fantastic. This how the story of Owain Glyndwr could be animated.

Humble apologies....I dont wanna interrupt the flow. Agreed....Ian McKellan would be an ideal candidate/nomination.

Looks like we might all have gone a little off topic in this thread. It struck me we dont have a place for general chit chat so I started one here:- http://americymru.ning.com/forum/topics/general-chat Please try and post on the subject of 'Hollywood and Glyndwr' in this thread....on the General Chat thread please feel free to post anything you like. Diolch

I once met John Pertwee in a lane in Cornwall. I stopped my car and nearly ran him over. I did not have my driving head on. The stuff they used to get up to was hilarious and soooooooooooo innocent. I always wanted to play aunt Sally. I think that programme was cult television for loads of big kids like me. Brilliant. The always ended up throwing cream cakes at each other B

Your sense of humour is as crackers as mine. They tell me I can take tablets for it............................ Best.......... BeeHave you ever watched Worzel Gummidge and animated scarecrow who gets up to all sorts. W

I cannot find the book at the moment, but that sounds like spike. Even reading your email made me titter. The chap was crazy. Perhaps he should have played Owain Glyndwr LOL Best............ Bee

Was the book called Dip and Nibbles...i've got one about a Rabbit that thinks its a Banana

I was brought up on the goons. Was in America last year and came across a book in one of the many bookshops they have over there, written by Spike Milligan, it was soooooooooo bad it was brilliant. I think that zany sort of humour is better than anything these so called comedy clubs can dish up. However, Milligasn poor man was a manic depressive and lived all his life in and out of depression, but of course when he was high, there was nothing to touch him. Who would belive that he made a record called 'I'm walking backwads for Christmas............................. across the Irish Sea. Completely bannanas.Best........................ Bee

Kenny Everrett was one brilliant comedian and artist. His cross over humour became more graphic as time went on. However he could make a cat laugh. All in the best possible taste, of course. Bee

I'd like to see Ioan Gryffudd; while I love Russell Crowe, the lead should defintiely be a Welshman.. You'd think the story of Owain Glyndwr would be a sure-fire hit. I'd be particularly interested, as I am very proud to be a direct descendant of this great man.

Angharad is off to see Russell Crowe tonight.....will let you know if there are any damsels in a state of undress..especially ones with beards!

Hi, Rhianne! Yeah, that and what has turned out to be several dozen bears have appeared behind my house, on the property or down in the greenbelt below my back deck over the past two years I've lived here. They're pretty easily intimidated, though, and I've successfully discouraged every single one from lingering close to the house itself.Nope, no pets, but if I did, they wouldn't be allowed outside except on a leash with me on the other end. People have lost dogs and cats to not just bears but our other wildlife here: coyotes, foxes and mountain lions. The weekending "flatlanders" as we call them just don't get it that we live inside a National Forest where it's literally the wildland/urban interface, and pets are just another meal to the wildlife here.Yeah, this site is addictive, isn't it? There's so much going on here now I don't even have time to scope it all out. My Llywelyn research and writing have had to take a back seat for a while as I look for a new job (have been unemployed as a reporter/photographer from the local paper since Feb. 12, thanks to our stupid economy). But will get back on track with that shortly, I hope. But as this is a Glyndwr thread, I haven't participated in it (and I totally do not understand the latest posts at all LOL!).

One thing you have all left out, is our Mam in a wraparound pinnie. She'd sort them ol' Indians out, and any air head actress LOL Best................................... Bee.

That may well be, but he'd struggle with the accent!His Robin Hood accent, which is meant to be a North Yorkshire one, is more like Italian Irish!No, I'm voting for Michael Sheen, he's more than proved his ability with the various roles he's taken on and completely possessed! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sheen

Yikes, that bear was on your patch, hell!, I guess you don't have domestic pets then?I am really enjoying your contribution to this conversation regarding Llewelyn, so much so I guess I'd better return to do some work now as I've been distracted for over an hour now!Hwyl, LadyBizbiz on TwitterRhianne Griffiths

OMG, I'd never seen "Cupid Stunt" before! This is HYSTERICAL!

Nope an Taffy a conservative councillor, the same people who said the Welsh Chartists who stormed the Westgate Hotel in Newport in 1839 were terrorists too.. (That's the thanks Welsh got for campaigning for the vote...) I don't think they forgave Owain for flattening Newport Castle lol........

A terrorist?! Might I assume the person who said that was English?

I remember a few years ago in Newport, (Now Gwent), when a lobby wanted to erect a statue to Owain Glendwr, the council then a conservative one said this Glendwr was a terrorist we should not be celebrating terrorism.

Owain Glyndwr was in his 50s when he began his war for independence, not a "punk kid" like William Wallace. I'd suggest Jonathan Price or John Rhys Davies.

Just digging up Braveheart again. Our Scottish cousins might not be pleased to know but Wallace, in fact, means Welsh or Wales. The name Wallace was the spoken Scottish form of Wales/Welsh coming from the Old French "Waleis" and Old English "Wealas". Furthermore, William Wallace was born in the Brythonic "Welsh" Scottish lowlands or Yr Hen Ogledd. The area included Cumbria up to Kingdom of Ystrad Clud (Strathclyde) , where the peoples of this area were known as the 'Walensis' right up to the 13th century. William Wallace's great grandfather was, in fact, Richard Walensis of Kilmarnock. The Walensis and "Wales Welsh" thought of themselves as one and the same people. So in the vernacular of the time, the English would have considered themselves to be fighting the great Scottish hero "William the Welsh" for the conquest of Scotland!

Forgot to mention concerning Russell Crowe's candidature, he is rumored to be one of the most well-endowed actors in Hollywood, which goes to show that he is indeed a Welshman.

What about Russell Crowe? Wiki says that his paternal grandfather was from Wrexham and his father's name is Wemyss, which derives from old Celtic for caves called vumhs or wamh. The family name comes from the Celtic nobility.

Found the owain Glyndwr vid....1 of 8 apparently Hers a link to get to theother parts:-

They could do the film in English but with subtitled scenes in Welsh.

Just found a BBC documentary on You Tube The Legend of Owain Glyndwr..its had 2800 views.

That might do it Get the ball rolling....any takers?

Perhaps with You Tube and social networking sites like Americymru the audience for such animation is much wider..perhaps someone needs to make their own homemovie..Lego Batman has had an incredible amount of views on You Tube. Its time for Owain Glyndwr to make an entrance!!

I suppoose by way of a shameless plug I should add that we will be showing it at the LCE 'Night of The Living Bards' event. Sorry....couldnt resist:)

Animation is an interesting idea...but a cult following doesnt always guarantee that a movie will be easily available. For instance it is very difficult to get hold of a copy of the S4C animated movie of The Mabinogion ( Y Mabinogi/Otherworld 2003 ) despite the fact that there is a huge potential audience for it.

Perhaps it would be best to do it as an animation...this would certainly get it a cult following.

Its interesting to say that....Mel Gibson did "The Passion" all in Hebrew and Latin and that did amazingly well. There are only certain people know who Owain Glyndwr was, so you are already making a movie for a niche audience..maybe they could shoot in English and Welsh. The recent viking movie Valhalla Rising was made on a budget of 6 million, so the film doesn't need a huge budget.

Harder to cast, shoot and raise money to produce, though. I would like to see a big budget film that gets promoted and screened all over the world and I don't think that would be in Welsh but why not dubbed in Welsh, like they do movies in Spanish and French here, and subtitles available in Welsh? I don't think that's too much to ask.

Do you think they should do the film in welsh? so the actor would have to be a welsh speaker.

Ha! Watch it, though, I got a spanking from Dave Martin for saying this! And who to play him would depend on what time in his life you're doing - he was in his late 50s when he died, wasn't he? Anthony Hopkins would be too old, Ioan Gruffudd too young. I like Rhys Ifans.

Gaabi said : " because Welsh people are quiet, they don't boast, it's not in their character to draw everyone's attention to them themselves or the things they've done. It's more in their character to do whatever they're doing and get on to something else when it's done and why would you go on about that, it's done anyway? "You know thats pretty much me in a nutshell right there gaabi, I rather just get the job done and over with and on to the next one. To me nothing to brag about, to complain a little about around the house I guess cause in my head I cant figure out why others can't do that, or when they did one small plate they brag for 3 days. Like you said about your Irish friend.As for the movie idea on Owain thats a tough question. I think Hollywood hasnt done it yet cause One the right Director/producer hasn't gotten a hold of it, or gotten the gumption up to do it. Acors to play Owain : Ioan Gruffudd , Would Anthony Hopkins be considered too "old" for the part?

'Owain Glyndwr: Prince of Wales' by R.R. Davies published by Y Lolfa " Owain was voted the most influential Welsh person of the millennium in a BBC Wales poll and revolutionaries from around the world including Fidel Castro have been influenced by his pioneering guerrilla warfare tactics. There have been petitions and internet campaigns for a Braveheart style film on Owain Glyn Dr, with names such as Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys being touted to play the leading role. Publishers Y Lolfa hope that this accessible book will raise the profile of Glyn Dr introducing one of the most inspiring stories of Welsh history to thousands of new readers. Lefi Gruffudd, chief editor and former student of R R Davies said,... ."As far as I'm aware the internet campaign for a Braveheart style movie about Owain Glyndwr started on this site in this forum nearly two years ago . Looks like some progress is being made? Does anyone know of any online petitions. Who would we be petitioning?

Oh, yes. Miles Davies. I can see him now in all his modern jazzy coal gear, dead smart and always up for a good laugh..

Unsure if it's anything you could work with, but Llywelyn ein Llyw Olaf (Llywelyn our last leader) the word "Llyw" has two meanings; ruler/leader or rudder/helm. I hoped it could help you with any title ideas. Hope your work is going well, of what I've read of your posts it sounds very promising indeed.

Bearing in mind that Glyndwr was 51 years old when he started the revolt and that 51 was a fine old age in them days I would go for one of our senior actors.The name that springs to mind is obviously Anthony Hopkins especially for the last years of his life.Or how about Jonathon Price?,or as I think suggested before Rhys Ifans.Sorry just reread your post Hugh see youlve suggested J.Price

I like the tune, and I remember the band from my wild, partying college days! Thanks for the "blast from the past"! Makes me wanna break out me tie dyed t-shirts again! hehe

Downloaded the aforementioned track, what do you think?.Apart from the interpretation I put on it in relation to the end of Glyndwr's struggle it happens to be my favourite album track of all time.

I believe there were plans to make a film about Glyndwr a couple of years ago called Rebellion but finances were a problem.Don't know how true this is but I was told that when they made Braveheart they had originally looked at doing the story of Llywelyn but decided a Scottish story would sell better.They even took some tales from Welsh history,calling a meeting with the local lords and then murdering them for one.Anyone heard the Wishbone Ash album Argus?The words and sentiments from the track Throw Down The Sword could have been written about Glyndwr and would be brilliant at the end of a film about him.If you haven't heard it look it up!

It's inconvenient to English history that's why. Your Taff, Jock and Mick have always been a thorn in the side of your nigels. Kerrist! Welsh means alien to many English people - but the best of them like to live here. Some liked it so much they built castles all around the country.If I had to nominate someone it would probably be Russel Crowe. The film would be called LLadiator or The Man from Mychynlleth LOL.

Yes...I think that the career and character of Richard III is one area where historical revisionism has produced some interesting results. I once had to research the period for a student who was doing GCSE history I believe. I spent far more time reading around it than I need have done and probably completely confused the guy by bombarding him with conflicting theories and opinions. I'm sure that Richard has been sadly misrepresented in literature. Sharon Penman at the one extreme and Shakespeare at the other. Still , no matter how inaccurate the portrayal, its no bad thing having one of the most powerful characters in world literature named after you. I have heard it suggested that Shakespeares Richard is a caricature, a kind of Blackadder without the humor. But then again he has such tremendous lines:-"I can smile, and murder while I smile...." etc

Oh, I didn't realize you were talking about that book specifically.I got heavily into researching the Wars of the Roses, which led into me becoming a Ricardian, so most of what I've read was fact, or at least presented as such. Then I got the idea of writing the movie script, so I consciously avoiding any fiction dealing with Richard III so as not to mix up fact with fiction.

I agree with much of what you say and I suppose I should have made it clear in my original minimalist post that my main problem with the book was that she vastly over-compensated for his former notoriety. I fully expected him to borne heavenward by choirs of angels after Bosworth.Having said that I enjoyed the book because I'm a sucker for historical fiction. I dont read as much as I used to though and I havent revisited the Richard III controversy for some time. Just one more bad habit I suppose like smoking and drinking a six-pack on Friday nights....lol

Not a saint, no, but he was a lot more loyal than most.And while people could argue forever whether he was capable of killing the princes, anyone who looks at the situation can see it would have been a stupid thing for him to do. He had the crown, gladly handed to him by Parliament. The boys were too young to make trouble, and their mother, the most likely one to actually lead trouble against Richard, had already made peace with Richard, even coming out of Sanctuary with all her children by Edward, putting her daughters' marriages in his hands, and writing to her oldest son (Edward's stepson), advising him to leave Henry Tudor's retinue and return to England under Richard's promise of safety.Killing his brother's kids when they were no threat to him would only make Richard look bad, and however violent he might have been, he wasn't stupid.Henry, on the other hand, gleefully killed at least a dozen other heirs of the House of York, because he knew they all had a better claim to the throne than he did.

I'm workin' on it but I'm doing a mini-series not a movie. At least that's the plan. If TPTB want a 2-hour movie instead, hey, I can switch oars mid-stream. Agree wholeheartedly, there's plenty of material for just about any historical character if enough effort is made to dig out the story and facts. Then it's just a matter of how passionate you are about the telling. Personally, I'm fairly obsessed.

Agreed....and Jack the Fifer too!

Surely you cant deny that henry VII was a saintly man and a paragon of all the virtues.....lol. But seriously.... I'm basically out of sorts with attempts to save the reputation of Richard III but not because he was particularly obnoxious. I'm sure he was no better or worse than any other medieval or late medieval or early modern monarch. In my opinion both he and Henry were perfectly capable of murdering princes in towers . Indeed that sort of thing was pretty much a standard operating procedure at the time. The Shakespearian character of Richard III stands equally for the whole crew of murdering swine as far as I'm concerned. Nothing romantic or particularly admirable about any of them apart from their sheer genius for survival and political manipulation.I entirely agree though that the Shakespeare history plays are works of political propaganda..... amongst other things. I also have the humility to acknowledge that for all I know Sharon Penman's portrayal may be 100% accurate down to the last detail. Doesn't seem likely though..he wasnt Beelzebub but I refuse to believe that he was a saint.

What about it? I've studied that period quite a bit, and I can tell you her Richard III was more accurate than Shakespeare by a long shot.At least SKP doesn't claim to be writing anything but history-based fiction, which is more than can be said for Alison Weir. *eyeroll*

Re Sharon Penman...I read the one about Richard the Third. 'Nuff said:)

I think the Glyndwyr vs. Llywelyn question could be argued here ad nauseum, but the only real way to settle it is write scripts for both and see which becomes a blockbuster! :-D

I really wanted to like Penman's prose but it's just a bit too Harlequin for me. My sister gave me Falls The Shadow , which is primarily about Simon de Montfort, but I honestly couldn't get through it. I also have a problem with contemporary novelists who insist on giving historical characters nicknames, e.g., Ellen de Montfort, where her name was Eleanor and she's always referred to as Eleanor in every document I've studied over the years, whether in official chronicles or personal correspondence.I think Llywelyn ap Gruffudd's grandfather, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn Fawr), would be an interesting study, too, but his story ends with a whimper in a monastery, where he spent his last few, illness-ridden years. I guess I should give Penman's The Reckoning a try since it is apparently mostly about Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, but I don't think I have the heart.Edith Pargeter's The Bothers of Gwynedd Quartet , about Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, is a brilliant study although I disagree with some of her conclusions about motivations vis-a-vis Dafydd, Llywelyn's brother. However, there's been a lot more research done and papers published since she wrote this series of novels and wouldn't have known what we know today about who did what to whom and why.As for Braveheart , I dont think theres anything that could redeem it for me. From the very first words that appear onscreen, 1280 A.D. to the very first words the narrator utters about the King of Scotland having died and left no heirs, I knew that if the filmmakers couldnt get their simple, easily researched facts right, there wasnt much hope for historical truth elsewhere. And there wasnt.I also dislike being confused by movies, so when this one started off with "1280 A.D.", I knew they couldn't be referring to Alexander II who had died in 1249 because "the Longshanks," as the narrator calls him, didn't exist as such -- Edward would have only been ten years old then. Plus, Alexander II did have an heir of the same name, and I knew he, Alexander III, outlived Llywelyn ap Gruffudd by 4 years, dying in 1286. So now I didn't know what the hell was going on up there on the screen but it annoyed me that I had to stop and think about it instead of being able to just sit back and watch the beautiful scenery and, hopefully, a good story unfold before me. No such luck.Aren't I the crabapple today? Must be all the bear sightings we've had in the yard in the last 10 days: 5! I know I live up in the mountains but this is southern California, for pete's sake! LOL!

Machynlleth is a fantastic place and I very much enjoyed seeing the Glyndwr parliament, as well as looking about the town. (Love the Clock Tower; disappointed the Celtica Center had closed). And the Glyndwr story is really an inspiring one, so it's easy to understand him as the Welsh hero.But if we're to appeal to Hollywood and the American mentality for a film that sells, the story of Llywelyn Fawr would be a better choice. There's a novel written by Sharon Penman entitled Here Be Dragons. It's extremely well done and includes a variety of relationships and situations, including Llywelyn's family, friends, political alliances, battles, enemies -- and the ever-important ingredient: the love scenes!The only thing I didn't like about Penman's book is her comment at the end, that Llywelyn's dream was only personal, and therefore didn't last. But that was easily solved -- I just tore that page out!

OMG your "POINT TO NOTE: At Wallaces defeat" statement is freakin hilarious - but you obviously know what you are talking about. That's one of the things I love about Welsh men - no bullshit, rough and ready, and know how to live life to the fullest (I'm not sure about the Hairy Scottish Women though).

I think Christian Bale ought to play Owain Glyndwr. He's a fabulous actor and you can definitely tell he's Welsh, from the cheekbones to the accent. (But then, I want him for the Richard III movie I'm writing too. *sigh*)

There is hope....lol. We have a member on here who is actually writing a script on the life of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. See earlier in this thread.

Hollywood probably doesn't even know Owain Glyndwr existed. Ioan Gruffudd would be the obvious choice for the lead role, but I remember reading somewhere that he really wants to play Llywelyn Fawr!

700,000 stake hope in Dylan film From the page "As the red carpet is rolled out for the Welsh premiere of the new Dylan Thomas biopic, the assembly government has revealed it has a stake in the film."Question:- Why not offer to part finance an Owain Glyndwr pic ( or Llewellyn )?

This was taken before reaching Southern Snowdonia. You were on your way out of Machynlleth at the time. Probably aboard the Traws Cambria? I used to make this journey a lot when I went for hill-walking vacations in North Wales. Dim problem about the board...we like to see it cluttered...lol.

I think this was taken near Machynlleth or Dolgellau. I was on a bus from Aberystwyth to Bangor and we stopped near this great old bridge for a few minutes.

Sorry for cluttering up the board here, but wanted to see if I could follow Ceri's above directions. Thanks, Ceri!

Just above the comment box there are some very limited formatting options. BIUS etc.... at the end of the list is a graphic which if clicked will allow you to upload a photo. If you have any problems with it let me know and I'll get hold of Ning HQ. Have to ask... how's the script coming along?

Nice shot! I like the arrow loops in the b.g.! Hey, how'd you get your photo to embed in the message itself? When I uploaded mine, it only showed the link, not the photo.

Carreg Cennen is everyones favorite castle in South Wales I suspect. The last time I was there was in 2001 shortly before I migrated. I seem to have lost most of my photos but heres one that survivied.

lol@MelGibson...I think I'd prefer Chuck Norris!

Johnathan Pryce. Remember that Owain was in his 50s, not a kid like William Wallace. And unlike Wallace, Glyndwr was never betrayed by his own people. But don't let Mel Gibson get a hold of it.

"The Karate Kid"....hmmmmm. Oh well Gaabriel and I are working our way through the Troma back catalog at the moment and I'm too ashamed to even tell you the name of the movie we watched today...lol.On the spelling thing...laziness and force of habit are my excuses. Llewellyn with an 'e' is a much more common spelling back home although probably an anglicisation. In this case it should certainly be spelled with a 'y'."Hiraeth" would be an excellent title but as you say there would probably be objections to it. I rather like "The First and Last Prince" as well.

Oops, meant to attach this photo I took when at Carreg Cennen. It's one of my favorites from my second trip to Wales where I finally got to visit some castle ruins. Not the ones I really wanted to visit, but next time...! This one has provided me endless inspiration although I'm sure the view out that arrow loop was vastly different from the pastoral patchwork we see now.

When I was driving out of Cardiff in my spiffy, stick-shift-on-the-wrong-side rental car, as I headed north out of the city and saw the first road sign whose name I recognized, it was for Caerffili Castle and I burst into tears. It was the most bizarre thing. But I had been researching medieval Wales and Llywelyn's life for two years and here I was, finally in Wales, seeing for myself a few of these extraordinary places I'd only dreamed of seeing. I was pretty much choked up for most of the 4 brief days I had before having to return to London. By the time I got to Abbey Cwm Hir, I was a basket case.All by way of saying, there was most definitely something there with which I completely identified and that was soul-stirringly deep. And I've been obsessed with Llywelyn's story ever since.Although I like your imagery. Why don't you write that magical story? I think you'd be far better at it than I!

It's a very different thing, although I think the biggest difference is simply training yourself to write nothing that can't be seen through the camera lens. And not write what we call the million dollar line: "And the cavalry came over the hill." Of course you can't do that in either of your media as well, so perhaps the genres aren't as different as you'd think. One great advantage to writing for the big or small screen is that you don't have "stage waits" from one scene to the other as you do in plays.I'll bet you'd be great at writing screenplays. Why not give it a go?

Working from last to first...Not an official working title. I've variously called it "The First Prince," "The Last Prince," "The First and Last Prince," "Prince of All Wales" and, my personal favorite although I doubt it'll fly, "Hireath."I'm afraid I'm not a good enough student of Hollywood statistics to know whether historical accuracy is on the upswing. I would hope so but like any collaborative medium, s/he who has the biggest salary wins in any discussion of content. And that most certainly isn't the writer.I'm not familiar with Adorno's work or philosophy. I'm afraid you're way too ahead of the curve for me, Ceri!Hey, I'm ashamed to publicly admit how many times I paid to see "The Karate Kid." Each time I went back it was to focus on a single aspect of the story, the music, the characters, the props, the music, the story, the music, the story...And please don't take offense at this question, but why do you spell Llywelyn's name "Llewellyn"? I'm truly curious, not trying to be a school marm or anything.

I've written audio plays and a stage play but film is beyond me, it seems like it would be a totally different thing.

fook its john davies book black sunday all over again wish i could spell deja vu but being a product of the secondary modern system , and not wanting to get my ass whipped for wearing a grammar school uniform , i kept my head low in the walled city of ely and joined the merchant navy , i aint quite sure how i like people people wanting welch now

as for the casting look to brassed off a great film that worked well

we dont need another braveheart even tho he was welsh

how about this copywrite story line an american writer some what blinded by welsh myths talks a script company into giving her money for a reseach trip to wales , slap bang in the middle of the colliers strike of the eighties , back up in the back of a unnamed valley she finds that the myths and magic of lost wales runs strong under the subsurface the ground attaches to her feet and the wind talks giving her visions of a time past not long gone but laying dormant , the forces stir as does the dragon that slumbers under the hill and the people are draw once again to stand up and fight the heros and villians return ,

Agreed..There is a high probability that some sort of skulduggery was afoot.Traditional gripes about Hollywood notwithstanding I'm sure everyone on here is extremely excited by this project and wishes you every success. If "Llewellyn" sets a trend then hopefully Owain will follow. Of course the pages of Welsh history are littered with eccentrics, heroes and vagabonds and I'm sure they will all eventually get their day in the Hollywood sun. (Personally I'd love to see a biopic of John Rees aka Jack the Fifer but thats completely off topic....lol)On the subject of Hollywod in general I suppose everyone has a love/hate relationship with it. I hate to be a crushing bore and invoke the ghost of Adorno & co but I used to think that their analysis of Hollywood was accurate. Constant improvement and refinement of special effects and the same trite moral message decade after decade.. I came to realise though that while that may be an adequate description it doesnt represent a criticism. You cant criticise Hollywood for being mainstream. It IS mainstream and thats its job. I suppose if it were radical and innovative then we wouldnt need the legions of independent film makers both here and in Europe who make occasionally dazzlingly brilliant movies on shoestring budgets.I remember the Guardian review of "Titanic" years ago. They pointed out quite rightly that the relationship between Winslett and Di Caprio was laughably improbable and generally left the impression that the film wasnt worth seeing. Personally I went to see it four times. On each occasion I went to one of those "sensurround" cinemas so I could sit in the front row and feel my chair shake when the boiler rooms fire up and the pistons start thundering as the ship leaves Portsmouth harbour. It was a glorious spectacle and it needed to be appreciated as such.On the subject of Hollywood and historical accuracy ( and leaving aside the appalling travesty that is "Braveheart") , correct me if 'm wrong, but there seems to be a tendency to pay more attention to historical fact and detail in recent years. I thought Hollywood did a first rate job with "Michael Collins".Anyway...just my twopence worth, and once again best of luck with "Llewellyn" ( Does it have a working title yet?)

A "nosy parker"? I love that! I have several overseas friends and I'm constantly learning some new colloquialism. Although I must say, cockney rhyming slang should be designated a language unto its own. I mean, I know all the words but I haven't a clue what they mean sometimes. LOL!Yes, one and the same KP on imdb. I've worked for writers all of my so-called career, until last year when I got hired to do my first pro writing gig, adapting a book into a screenplay, which my agent is flogging about town as we speak.As for how far along on the Llywelyn project, not far enough to be able to give you any kind of guesstimate as to when it might be produced. As we say, no deal is set until the check clears. Even when it clears, if the exec who bought/optioned your project gets the boot from one network to another, which seems to be happening with frightening regularity lately, well, there goes your project, too. Two producers are very, very interested in it, but it's all just so much blue sky and blowing smoke until it gets the green light (and the check clears!). I don't want to count me chickens before they cross the road.Re: Chris Eccleston... I'm not very familiar with him even though I've seen some of the things he's been in. I can't hear his voice in my head, unlike my other "fantasy choices" whose work I do know well. It's just a game I play, anyway, in picturing a particular actor's voice/mannerisms as I write. Sometimes it helps with dialogue, sometimes it can get in the way. But it's all fun.

How about Christopher Eccleston for Edward I? http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001172/

That sounds fantastic - how close are you, where are you at on it?is this you or another Katy Penland? http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1013914/ (sorry, I'm a horribly nosy parker!)

First, apologies for taking so long to respond. I didnt have the notify me box checked for replies to this thread and didnt see yours until logging in today. I italicized parts of your post I'm responding to (couldn't find where font colors are allowed).Intriguing! I was just wondering how you would handle the ending.Sorry, youll have to wait til it airs. Where do you stand on the whole assassination theory. Was there a conspiracy in the "belfry at Bangor" as the "Brut y tywysogion" seems to suggest?I think a lot depends on how you interpret old records. Whether one can take the reference literally, or whether the Brut is alluding to the numerous problems Llywelyn had with Bangors Bishop Anian and later with Archbishop Pecham is completely open to debate. The fact that Pechams summoning of John of Wales to try to intercede with Llywelyn, and John ended up taking Llywelyns side of the issues in contention must have infuriated Pecham, embarrassing him not only in front of Llywelyn but with Edward, too, who hadnt endorsed Pechams second journey to Gwynedd in the first place.I would give my eye teeth to have a copy of Pechams Register of letters translated into English (theyre in medieval Latin). Ive only been able to find a few translated excerpts here and there, but I think they might be most enlightening.I believe an assassination plot was highly probable based on the paper with false names that was found on Llywelyns body and mysteriously never seen or referenced again (to cover any possibility of identifying the writer or conspirators?). Edward and the Marchers were mutually antagonistic as well as opportunistic allies when it suited them and neither Edward nor the Marchers, especially Mortimer, could afford to let Llywelyn live. With old Roger Mortimer dead, Llywelyn could very well have been buoyed by false hope that the younger Edmund Mortimer wished peace and had formed an alliance with the sons of other old Marcher adversaries to meet with him. And at that stage in his life, he really had nothing more to lose by trying.I think most people imagine that Owain is a better candidate for Hollywood treatment because his story has a sort of happy ending. Taking a nap in a cave for a few millenia beats getting beheaded I suppose. But then of course there are the rumours about Owain And Elvis Presley running a chip shop in Corwen! ( see elsewhere on this site )Lol! Hey, I work in the industry and I am just as annoyed by Hollywoods cavalier treatment of historical subjects, witness Braveheart. Ugh. Still, I can name as many history books that have inaccurate or highly speculative information in them, all touted as true facts. Movies and television are easier targets because there are fewer of them, theyre more high-profile, and are far more expensive than any book ever published and so earn the ire of the critical viewer (yet, ironically, budget is sometimes what constrains factual fidelity in film). Just a few weeks ago, I returned a $110 scholarly book to Amazon for a full refund because of the incredible number of glaring factual errors in the introduction alone. Most disheartening! So maybe some of the blame for bad films can be laid at the feet of bad source material. Not defending stupid movies like Braveheart but just asking to keep an open mind about what may have transpired in the course of their production.Dont know that I agree with you about happy endings making projects more amenable to being produced. Some of the most celebrated films of all time didnt end well for the protagonist. But Hollywood is also very fickle, and whatever genre was successful at last weekend's box office becomes the flavor-of-the-month. The spate of sequels and computer-generated films is indicative of an industry terrified of taking risks on a good story, happy ending or sad. Glyndwrs story has no ending, and that would leave me terrified as a writer (because no matter what I wrote, it wouldnt satisfy everybody) and unfulfilled as an audience (because there was no end of the beginning, middle and end structure that all good storytelling has to have.But Ive now wandered far afield of the thread topic so will put a cork in it!

House of America (the film) was adapted from a play of the same name by Ed Thomas. Heres a synopsis of the plot quoted from http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsT/thomas-ed.html " House of America is an explosive passionate play about a family in Wales. After their truck-driver father left to start a new life for himself in America (because the roads are straighter), Sid and Gwenny created a fantasy world based on Jack Kerouac's On the Road, and they may be getting rather too close. Boyo, their brother, is a hometown boy with no home. Their mam goes mad after killing a cat called Brando and her agitation increases as the local open cast mine encroaches on land ever nearer to the family home. She has a secret - only, it isn't secret. 'I guess its one of those movies you either love or hate. Originally released in 1997 it is a black comedy with a superb soundtrack.Heres the IMDB entry:- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119322/ Best of luck getting hold of a copy. I searched specialist movie hire stores here in portland and struck a blank. It is available on Ebay though.Nothing to do with Glyndwr of course but interesting all the same.

Jonathan Pryce would lend a dignified air to the role of Owain. Roger Rees, might look too impish.Hm, never heard of "House of America". Embarrassment to Wales aye? I'll have to check it out! If you saw The Corn is Green, you'd wince. Same with "How Green..." with Walter Pigeon and Maureen O'Hara/Sullivan? More Hollywood than Rhymney.See if I can locate H of A. in local vid store. Can't get my hands on The World's Fastest Indian. A friend says it's worth watching - more than once. Anthony H. is great in the role. He said it's one of his favourite films too.Well, maybe someone can drop hints Hollywood's way about Owain! He was an interesting character.

Just looked him up on the IMDB. I see he was in "House of America". Somebody commented on there that the film was an "embarassment to Wales". I thought it was a hoot, in fact I'm gonna rent it this weekend. I'm warming to Matthew Rees as Owain!

My vote would definitely go to Jonathan Pryce for the older Glyndwr. Not sure about Matthew Rees. Have to learn more about him. As far as "The Corn is Green is concerned I'm happy to say I never saw it. Figure I'll keep it that way....lol.

If Hollywood even paid the slightest attention to the culture and history of Wales, rather than it's better looking citizens, who become stars worth mega-millions, we might have a chance of something like that being made - watchable in other words!Sarcasm not undue... those guys made bankable stars out of Ray M., Richard B., Anthony H., Catherine Z.J., etc. and got their money's worth back.It would be a good idea to make a film about that part of our history. Gritty truth, rather than the Hollywood machine glamour fare we usually get!Have you ever seen The Corn is Green with Bette Davis? The excuciatingly bad Welsh accents that dominate, would suggest, to me anyway, that only Welsh actors and actresses should play the roles. Poor Emlyn.... a part of him must have died when he saw/heard that!The lead? Depends on ages that Owain is played, but there's a few good possibilities. Matthew Rhys could play him as a younger man. Jonathan Pryce or Roger Rees as the older Owain.What do you think? Hwyl, Lynne

Intriguing! I was just wondering how you would handle the ending. Where do you stand on the whole assassination theory. Was there a conspiracy in the "belfry at Bangor" as the "Brut y tywysogion" seems to suggest? I think most people imagine that Owain is a better candidate for Hollywood treatment because his story has a sort of happy ending. Taking a nap in a cave for a few millenia beats getting beheaded I suppose. But then of course there are the rumours about Owain And Elvis Presley running a chip shop in Corwen! ( see elsewhere on this site )

Oh, please please please, be patient a little longer, I implore you. (Howzzat for melodrama?) I've been researching and writing and obsessing over the script for a mini-series for American TV on the life of the first and last (and only, IMHO) Prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Not to demean anyone who believes that Glyndwr is worthy of notice -- he most certainly is. But after several years of research including two trips to Wales, Llywelyn's story is so much more compelling, and less known (thanks to Edward I's near expunging of Welsh records of his rule), and the social, political and legal changes he brought about in his too-short reign were truly extraordinary. I've been cultivating interest in this project in Hollywood, where I've worked for over 20 years, and am feverishly working to get enough of the script completed to get the deal set.In the meantime, and to keep my post sort of on topic, I'll indulge in a bit of fantasy casting but for a Llywelyn story:Llywelyn ap Gruffudd: Ioan Gruffudd (who would have to age 40 years throughout and because he's authentic Welsh and says this would be a dream role)Edward I: Hugh Jackman (because he is a "longshanks" and can play duplicitous real well)Simon de Montfort: Robert Lindsay (one of the finest English actors alive since so many of the Old Vic players are sadly gone now)Eleanor de Montfort, Llywelyn's wife: Catherine Zeta-Jones ('nuf said)And that's just the tip of the iceberg of my dream cast if I had any say about it, which the writer never does. Another fantasy is to have this shot entirely in Wales, and in the beginning the dialogue in Welsh with English sub-titles, gradually migrating into English with occasional Welsh scattered throughout. I would have loved to have it entirely in Welsh but, as we say in showbiz, it won't play in Peoria. Still, I want as much of the Welsh language to be used as possible to give the American audience an idea of what it sounds like since we already know from polls most don't even know where Wales is, I'm ashamed to say.And now I hope I haven't jinxed meself in talking so much about this before it's a reality!

A team of totally objective intergalactic alien observers got assigned to examine this planet.Their brief was to examine the:1. Cultural, racial and national identities based on their history2. The achievements and impacts of each particular grouping upon the modern day planet3. How the groupings perceive themselves and how others perceive them.Xaaang Moliver of the planet DO YOUROWN DOBBI has been assigned to the little heard of and quaint 'Welsh'He,she has summarised that there has to be some kind of conspiracy theory going on to do down this wee nation and ringing in he,she's mind is that old quote of Evelyn Waugh's. That throughout history nearly all of England's misfortunes can be traced back to the Welsh.Haha

I still think Chuck Norris should be considered for the lead role.

How funny that this came up here, when I had just recently started thinking about that myself while researching Owain Glyndwr for the "Wales and the Welsh" page of my website. His life would make such a cool movie.Hmm...

Did you know that Janice Gattis on here is the person from the Alabama Welsh Association and she has been leading the effort there to restore this plaque? Ceri was also helping on that and there's a ton of stuff on the americymru.blogspot.com.You could start a forum on here on that to discuss that whole issue, a very interesting story.My personal belief on Madoc is that there's no proof that it happened and no proof that it didn't. My personal belief is also that, if it isn't true, it doesn't matter and that doesn't detract from it's historical significance because of the way that it inspired Americans (like Thomas Jefferson) in our history and it's a great story. If it isn't true, it's a great testament to the Welsh bullshit gene, or gift with dreams.Start a forum on it and post about him being buried at Bat Creek - I never heard that, where does that come from?

On the school thing, my experience (as a teacher and a parent) is that school systems are ponderous bureaucracies, they don't mean evil because they're too big to mean anything, they're just huge and hard to move. The way to get something done in them is to make it as easy as possible (don't tell them to add it to the curriculum, create the curriculum for them and give it to a teacher and HE/SHE will handle that) and to present it in some way that they'll be interested.I want to add some art to my kindergartener's class as her school has no budget for that. I'm a painter so I wrote a lesson plan for that age group for three classes (which also included some geometry, part of their skills set for this age group), with a supplies list and how they could be got for almost free and add thus a recycling lesson (part of the school's mission), and emailed this to her teacher. She was f'ing ecstatic and pushed it through the principal and so I do it at the beginning of this month. After I sent the email, I was done as I offered them an easy something they wanted so they made it happen.If you want that lesson in the schools, and it's a great idea, see if they have a state history curriculum, research it and write it or get someone else to do it and offer it to a teacher at your local school. That's the way to start it.I'm looking for people like that in our state's history for the same reason. Ceri found some guy who was a Welsh sheep farmer who got run out of another state, they actually unsuccessfully hung him three times before he gave up and brought sheep farming to eastern Oregon. I'd love to research this guy and do a kid's bio on him, he's incredibly interesting.

That should be part of state history in the elementary schools. I want to start a student eisteddfod at my sons' school - like a talent show but Welsh themed, on St David's Day (and of course we'll mention Meriwether Lewis, practically a god in Oregon), and then try to turn it into a system-wide practice.You ought to research that colony and write something for the schools on it? They might really like something else to add to their state history curriculum. LOL, elementary school US history here is practically "There was a disagreement with Britain but we like them ok today, then Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea came here in great detail all the way to the coast and stayed awhile until they had to go back to the east coast for some reason and then the Pioneers came on the Oregon trail in great detail and now we're Oregon."My grandparents never said a thing about it until my mother took my grandmother to the UK after grandad had died. They found a hill in Wales called Bubb Hill (grandad's family name) and I was all excited and then she said oh yes, his family's Welsh and mine, too, and that was it on it, that's all we ever heard.

Thanks (assuming you didn't mean "wow, that chick can't shut up!").What does anyone think a movie should tell people about Owain Glyndwyr and being Welsh?And I like Rhys Ifans, too. I think he's a fantastic actor and would do a great job. Anybody else?

Wow. Outstanding.Gaz

The thing that's lacking is the good, exciting script. If that's had and sold, then there's a movie that can be cast. What's the story of Owain Glyndwyr? How can that be distilled into concepts you can make a film out of? (only 90 minutes to tell about someone and their life) What's the main thing to tell people about him as a person and then the main thing to tell people that he did?Following are some generalities that are my opinion and have also been true of me:Americans don't know they're Welsh. If you asked most Americans what Welsh family names like Williams, Davis, Davies, Evans, Thomas, etc, are they'll say "They're American," and when you press for what country they originally came from they'll guess that either someone at Ellis Island made those up or they're English names. I know because I've been doing this survey for several years. That and who's Welsh in American history always surprises people because we don't learn it: "Thomas Jefferson, no shit?" and many signers of the Declaration of Independence.I think this is partially so, and the lack of notice of Wales and the Welsh in America, because Welsh people are quiet, they don't boast, it's not in their character to draw everyone's attention to them themselves or the things they've done. It's more in their character to do whatever they're doing and get on to something else when it's done and why would you go on about that, it's done anyway? I had an Irish friend and he would go on at me about how the Irish never gave in, never stopped fighting and how his ancestors suffered as a result and the Welsh didn't experience that and there was even Welsh kings of England and I always said that we just didn't yell about it like he did and we were smarter, worked in the system and got a king or two and which was more effective? (never mind the Irish sea and all that other stuff...)Ceri and I have the americymru.com site and we've been talking for a long time about how to raise awareness in the US about being Welsh and what it is and how cool it is and we have a lot of ideas and some in progress. We have a great idea for a goofy Eisteddfod, which I think would go over FANTASTICALLY here in Portland, given its local character, and to start something like that in the schools, especially here where artistic creativity is the most prized thing.Other countries and cultures have qualities and characters that people think of and admire and recognize, what are Welsh? I think some of it is the quality of creative imagination and creativity, the many interesting brilliant polymath eccentrics and original forward thinkers, Wales leading a quiet and unrelenting battle for class equity, fearlessness and tenacious ability to grab something and work hard at it until it's conquered, that historical stereotype of being sneaky and untrustworthy is really being smarter and faster than those big loud Saxon types and thinking rings around them, etc. It's not that Taffy's sneaky, he's just sick and tired of waiting for you to figure out what the f**k he's talking about!

Ceri and I have thrown this idea about a lot. My personal view is that the Welsh have merged or blended into the background, quietly and industriously. Wheras the Scots and Irish are louder and brasher and had greater strength in numbers going across the big pond.It was a good film but I hated the Welsh stereotyped portrayal in 'The Molly Maguires' with the late great Rich Harris, and Frank Finley as the Uncle Tom foreman Welshman, three bags full sir to the mine owners. Elements of truth in it of course. We'd been exploited so much at home I suppose so this was a fresh start in a new land of opportunity, so if we cant beat the capitalist why not join them attitude must have prevailed. That and our non conformist attitude to work ethic and drink led us not to associate with the wild Irish. The mine owners saw us a soberer lot I guess. And Hollywood was later to punish us for this in that film.Anyways, back to OG. As a soldier who knows minor tactics, the man must stand as one of the top 10 generals in history. He had at his most powerful a battlegroup of no more than 2000 men to play his hand with but to economies of scale he played them as well as Alexander did at various points. So why the Hollywood shyness?Any script that involves English oppressing Micks or Jocks goes down great with their box offices across the water. The Taff bums on cine seats is not as big a dollar I guess. And Hollywood=Dollar not historical accuracy or integrity.POINT TO NOTE: At Wallaces defeat at Falkirk, 10,000 of Longshanks 12,000 infantry were Welsh! And up until the night before, a large part of that force were 50/50 as who to fight for. Longshanks shrewdly delivered 200 barrels of ale into the Welsh camp and as this was well before Calvin and the 'efengylwyr' of the 19th century, we got pissed and kicked some Scots ass in the morning!!!! HOORAY. HA, BLOOD, BEER, HAIRY SCOTTISH WOMEN. Longshanks understood the Welsh male psyche obviously.Gaz

Rhys Ifans would be a GREAT Glyndwr with Ioan Gruffudd as his right hand man--can't think of the name but there ya go!Two Welsh studs in one picture--Lidia swoooooooooons! For sure!Lidiaxoxoooxo

So, okay, I'm new at this. But thanks to google, am a bit more up to speed. Hollywood seems to only produce what sells...but an actor? As long as he doesn't look like Charles.

Why Hugh Jackman? He's Australian and aren't his parents English? He did a damned good Wolverine but I don't think he's that great an actor?

If "Wesley Snipes" is too esoterically American to be recognized: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000648/ (well Ceri didn't get it!)

Or, you know, Wesley Snipes

I love Ioan Gruffudd in anything at all and he's just bone Welsh - http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0344435/ but I also think:Timothy Dalton http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001096/ Not racially Welsh but born in Wales and makes both a good king and a good sleazebag, old enough to do Glyndwr at the end of his life and very charismatically attractive;orChristian Bale http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/ Welsh and an incredible actor but maybe too young

Why has Hollywood not made a movie of the life of Owain Glyndwr? If they did who would play the lead role? Suggestions?
updated by @ceri-shaw: 07/03/23 02:29:16AM