1941 – Donald Crisp
How Green Was My Valley
This movie has gotten some pretty heavy flack for not being a worthy Best Picture winner. But because of outstanding performances from the cast, I believe that not only were all the accolades deserved, I think, even today, that it was a valid winner. In writing all my reviews for Oscar winning and nominated films, I’ve had to watch this supposedly unworthy film several times, and each time I enjoy it more. And every time I see Donald Crisp playing Gwilym Morgan, I am reminded of just how powerful his performance was.
He was the stoic and religious patriarch of the family. He was father to six boys and one girl. He was stern, and yet loving, proud and passionate, and yet tender-hearted. Not only was his performance deep and insightful, but it was written well. This is what makes an Oscar-worthy performance and I completely agree with his win. It was very well-deserved.
He clearly understood the character, his motivations, and his passions. The role allowed him to explore emotional depths that are just as powerful today as they were in the 1940s. He was a coal miner who took pride in his work and in his family. And when the changing times became hard on the mine, and the politics of the region pulled his family apart, he did his best to maintain his integrity and his ethics. And yet, as would have been proper for the times, he did his best to keep his emotions contained, to be the strong rock that held his family together.
Crisp’s performance had plenty of drama and pathos. Every time I watch the film, I am drawn in and captivated by the way he carries himself, the strong yet gentle way of him, and his love for his wife and children. I love how the Bible was Gwilym’s anchor, and how, when dealing with conflict with his sons, he never yelled or scolded. There seemed to be love in his every word. It just made his death scene that much more emotional, more tragic. When I look at the list of Best Supporting Actors for 1941, Donald Crisp stands out to me as the clear winner and I imagine that this one was a no-brainer to the Academy voters. It certainly was to me. It is because of this movie that I always love seeing him on the screen.