1 9 7 5 – 1 9 7 6 (UK)
6 x 50 minute episodes
Life is harsh but uncomplicated and happy for the Morgan family – father Gwilym (Stanley Baker), mother Beth (Siân Phillips), four sons and a daughter – in their coal-mining village in the Rhondda Valleys of Wales.
But as the 20th-century approaches, the younger generation is restless. The three sons already in the pit are beginning to recognise that men have rights and, what’s more, they feel they have the power to demand them.
This dramatisation of the Richard Llewellyn novel by Elaine Morgan skilfully introduced this central theme as well as several others – religious conflict, social manners, politics, a successful courtship and an unsuccessful one – in a succinct, effective script that held all the elements together in a satisfying balance.
The BBC2 series debuted on Monday 29 December 1975. Stanley Baker fell ill during filming in October 1975. He was diagnosed with lung cancer on 13 February 1976 and subsequently died from pneumonia four months later.
Huw Morgan
Dominic Guard
Gwilym Morgan
Stanley Baker
Beth Morgan
Siân Phillips
Bronwen Morgan
Nerys Hughes
Ianto Morgan
Keith Drinkel
Owen Morgan
Mike Gwilym
Angharad Morgan
Sue Jones-Davies
Rev. Gruffydd
Gareth Thomas
Dai Bando
Ray Smith
Cyfartha
John Clive
Ifor Morgan
Norman Comer
Elias
Aubrey Richards
Iestyn Evans
Jeremy Clyde
Huw Morgan
Rhys Powys
Blodwen Evans
Sheila Ruskin
Marged
Victoria Plucknett
Mrs Nicholas
Rachel Thomas
Ceinwen Lloyd
Zelah Clarke
Mr Jonas
Clifford Rose