This short documentary movingly documents the relationship between Dafydd Rhys, school caretaker, and schoolboy Ifor Morgan. It is based on the real-life story of David Rees Griffiths, who plays his older self in the film. Over the years, Rhys has used his abilities and virtues to help others, from schoolboys like Ifor to his former colleagues down the mines, but when he loses his only son to tuberculosis, he temporarily withdraws into himself; Ifor repays his debt to Dafydd by helping him back into the social world. Dafydd's poetic elegy to his son only just fails to win the Chair at the Aberavon Eisteddfod. The sense of place (Ammanford) is strong, as is the sense of community. The film was the Welsh contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain film festival.
However, given that the film is meant to be representative of Wales and the Welsh identity within Britain, criticism is in order. One which comes immediately to mind, given the strong rivalry between North and South Wales, is that this is a South Walian film - not a strong criticism in itself, but the only mention of North Wales is a very strong hint that only the favouritism of the judges from North Wales prevented Dafydd from winning the Eisteddfod Chair. Not a very unifying view of the nation.
The film also plays a little fast and loose with the facts of Griffiths' life (again, not objectionable in itself). He is seen with his wife mourning the death of his son, but in fact his wife died many years before. He raised his son single-handed, and pursued the career of journalist before taking on the caretaker's job. He had also won many Eisteddfod Chair over the years (over 50). So the film's framing of the marvel that a humble caretaker could come close, when deeply moved, to winning an Eisteddfod Chair, seems dishonest. In fact, a more likely framing is that a man of integrity and talent could find no better employment than a school caretaker.
Thirdly, the film is quite astounding, even for 1951, for the lack of women. There are no women in prominent roles - we are briefly shown Ifor's mother giving him a little nag, and Dafydd's wife giving birth to her son, and grieving over him. Apart from that, all we see are two cleaning ladies who have temporarily replaced Dafydd, in long shot, making a mess of things. One imagines, in a tight and small community such as Ammanford is portrayed, the women would have played an important role. The film gives them no credit.