The sad story of “The Lan”

Some years ago a number of well-known politicians (including Carwyn Jones, Tony Benn, Jane Hutt, Dafydd Wigley and Rhodri Morgan) endorsed and supported an ambitious project designed to bring the Gwaelod y Garth mining disaster of 1875 to the screen.  The story of the disaster was told in a book called “The House of Abraham Phillips” by Norma Procter, and it looks as if she also provided the screenplay for the project.  Initially (in 2014) the director was going to be Gabriel Beristain, but in the final push to get the film made (in 2016) David Ball was listed as director.  David, a film industry professional with particular expertise in film finance, seems to have been the most vociferous proponent of the project.  There was lots of coverage in the press, and it was flagged up that Catherine Zeta Jones and Rhys Ifans had been offered roles.  It was never reported that they had actually accepted.....

In the most recent press release (February 2016) it sounded as if the filming was ready to start, with some finance already offered and some still be to found.

 However, in spite of the involvement of the politicians and the obvious social and cultural importance of the project, the film was never made.  There was a financial shortfall, and by all accounts Pinewood (which then effectively controlled the purse strings) refused to put Welsh funding in on the grounds that the film was not “commercial enough.”    Maybe it was too “political” or too preoccupied with the eternal struggle between the capitalists and the workers — or maybe there were fundamental defects in the business plan or in the screenplay.  Maybe we will never know the full truth.

David Ball says that he still hopes that the film will be made one day — but the signs do not look good, with two attempts already having failed.....

Here is some of the enthusiastic Western Mail coverage:

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/story-cardiff-mining-disaster-told-6722530

Https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/grandmothers-story-cardiffs-mining-disaster-10876388