mark-rojinsky

Although the review in London's Time Out Film Guide describes this ambitious epic biopic as- '..all a bit Ken Russell-ish'' at least it stands out with its sweeping sense of 'higher things'' and transcendent significance. Richard Burton's performance is impressive although facially he doesn't look like the towering lantern-jawed German genius. It shows his Welsh eloquence and undertones of ''hywl'' (Welsh for ''spirituality/passion.'') Filmed in several glamorous European locations. I wonder how many films nowadays would aim for such ambition and a ''freeing-of-the-reins.'' The editing sometimes seems a bit abrupt although the script is extremely cine-literate.

This period drama features stolid BBC production values and what seems to be an accurate account of the life and career of David Lloyd George, a topic which was part of my A-level History course. Welsh actor Philip Madoc is excellent - he really gets the exposition, Welsh eloquence and sense of ''self'' and mission right. I admired the war-time scenes in the trenches of Flanders and public speeches. The Churchill character complements the young sandyhaired English actor Simon Ward's patrician Tory style in the classic 1972 cinematic biopic ''Young Winston'' directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. A terse evocative theme tune by Italian maestro Ennio Morricone was a hit in the UK pop charts.

Joanne Woodward's performance as a maudlin, melodramatic and drunk widow and mother of two young daughters is certainly telling. The film depicts dysfunctionality, a sense of closure rather than opportunity in life and emotional abuse with many comedic touches and records the 'feel' of '71-72 that greyest of hippie years so well. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's young daughter, Nell Potts plays the blonde thoughtful 'Matilda' who shows a keen interest in biology and astrophysics: hence the film's title. Wallach (daughter of Eli Wallach - he was in Leone's ''The Good the Bad & The Ugly'' (1966)) plays the swarthy, lively but epileptic 'Jessica'. Woodward won the Best Actress Award at the '73 Cannes Film Festival. 1972 was an interesting year for Paul Newman: the excellent modern-day western ''Pocket Money'' and revisionist western ''The Life & Times of Judge Roy Bean'' were shown in cinemas that year.