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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
much berated film needs a second look, December 4, 2002
This review is from: The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This film got shot down when it opened, so much so, the late Roddy McDowell never directed another film. It is dated, and some of the work it too artsy, but I really think this film deserver a closer look because it works on several levels. Based on the poems by Robbie Burn (Tamlin) and Sir Walter Scott (Ballad of Tam Lin) it was called Ballad of Tamlin, Tamlin and the ridiculous Devil's Window, and has roots in ancient Scottish Folklore. I think the dated hip 60's look even now works for the film, for it gives a slice of time, just as the poems reflect their periods. Ian McShane is gorgeous as the young man caught in the web of the Faery Queen (the timeless Eva Gardner) who maintains her youth like a black widow, by surrounding herself with the young and refusing to admit her ageing, until she sacrifices the willing, king sacrifice. This goes back to the king sacrifice ritual and pre-christian times, for the sake of renewal. In distant history, a renewal was of crops meant to sustain the people, in this instance, a renewal is her eternal beauty. Things are moving along until the virgin (Stephanie Beacham)comes along and entrances Tamlin with her simply purity. When the Faery Queen sees she is losing power over her young lover, she decides it is time to sacrifice him and only the pure, true love of Beacham can save him. This movie is pure pagan lore, the crone face of the goddess equated with winter's fight against the virgin face of the goddess ie spring, and the male caught between them. McDowell did a wonderful job putting this ancient lore in the very definitive period of the swinging 60s, pulling excellent performances out of Gardner, McShane and Beacham that are textured in emotions and nuances. So I think it is time to take a fresh look at a film that was misunderstood from the start. Won't be to everyone's tastes, but for the fans of McShane, McDowell or Gardner, for those interested in lore (for those that even like Austin Powers movies...lol) take a walk in the 60's wildside....or for those just wishing to see a Carnaby Street Time Capsule!!!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rather interesting, but a little hard to follow, September 12, 2006
This review is from: The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This was a 1971 movie that was directed by Roddy McDowell. It was filmed in 1968 (or '69), but shelved until late '71 (although new sources stated the film was released in the UK in December 1970, and in the U.S. in September 1972). 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.
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), I believe the reason this release don't bear the AIP logo is it's not released on MGM/UA (who has the rights to the AIP catalog).
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, not certain, I believe she was a Northern soul singer, so maybe not), 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 original albums. But there is a CD set called Time Has Come 1967-1973 that does feature this song. Since I don't own that set, I believe it's a collection of alternate takes, never-before-released material, BBC sessions, and film scores that never became available as a soundtrack album (as in the case of Tam Lin). 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.
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.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She pays a tithe to Hell..., March 31, 2006
This review is from: The Devil's Widow (Tam Lin) [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is a fascinating modern adaptation of the Tam Lin folk tale, about a courageous young maiden's bid to rescue young Tam Lin, an Elven consort to the Faerie Queen, who had originally been an Earthly knight.
The actual Tam Lin ballad appears throughout the movie, sung by the superb Jacqui McShee of the band Pentangle, who also created the title music, Name Of The Game.
Apart from the excellent main cast, there are also very early appearances by actresses who went on to fame in their own right, such as Joanna Lumley - The New Avengers, Absolutely Fabulous etc.
If you are familiar with the tale of Tam Lin, you will see all manner of parallels in the movie, which, like The Wicker Man, never received the initial promotion it deserved.
A classic late sixties Art movie.
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