One of the most beautiful films ever produced by Hollywood by possibly the greatest American film director of the 20th century. 

John Ford brings Richard Llewellyn's novel to the screen in this 1941 winner of the Academy's Best Picture Award.  Centered around one of the finest child performances available How Green Was My Valley tells the story of the Morgan family living in a Welsh coal mining village in the late 19th century. 

Huw Morgan narrates recalling his childhood experiences in their valley which he is departing from as an old man.  Huw is the youngest child of the Morgan family that also consists of 5 older brothers (Ivor, Ianto, Davy, Owen, and Gwilym) and a sister (Angharad).  Huw's parents are Gwilym and Beth Morgan.  Ivor marries beautiful Bronwyn early on in the film who Huw is fond of and Angharad falls for the town's Protestant minister Mr. Gruffydd. 

Huw tells of how the place where he grew up in peace and joy slowly piece by piece came undone and changed into the black and gray place he leaves many years later.  Through tragedy and joy Huw comes of age in the valley. 

Showing one of the most genuinely idyllic places to grow up I have yet seen on film it helps to generate the sympathy needed for the films tragic ending.  The strength and pride of Huw's father are symbolic of Huw's faith in the valley.  The portrayal of Huw's sister and Bronwyn represent how Huw sees the beauty of the valley and also its innocence.  Huw's older brothers represent the political and social changes in the valley.  Huw's mother is the heart and soul of the film.

This film deals well with its political issues through a strong portrayal of Gwilym Morgan, the father, by Donald Crisp.  As much as the Morgan's boys are pro union and more progressive figures, Gwilym is a stalwart for the old values and strictly against socialism.  The film thus gives viewers of both sides of the issue a heroic figure to champion their cause and in the end it ends up not being the primary issues of the film. 

The central theme of this film is the loss of peace and serenity by the consequences of the modern age.  The mine represents the progress of the valley from the pre-modern age to the modern industrial age.  At first the workers are paid well but as time goes on they are either forced out of work or paid very low wages due to the collapse of surrounding industries and the influx of new workers to the mine. 

Faith is also represented in the film by Mr. Gruffydd's character.  He is frustrated that the citizens of the village are so consumed by petty issues and trivial concerns.  He challenges them at one point as to why they come every Sunday to chapel when their lives do not represent his message at all.  He knows it's because they have been taught an ignorant superstitious fear of God that is not at all what he is trying to communicate.  By condemning sinners in their midst instead of showing them grace the villagers end up pushing Gruffydd out. 

As much as the issues of this film are somewhat past us, the loss of innocence and coming of age is something that we all experience.  And unlike modern coming of age dramas that are somewhat simple and carefree this one really digs deep to look at the consequences of society's actions towards people who are just caught in the middle of changing times.  Huw learns that his valley will never be the green place he remembers as a young boy and that there is no going back.  Someday we will all leave our respective valleys and look back and remember, "how green was my valley then..."