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Tam-Lin (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Tam-Lin', also known as 'The Ballad of Tam-Lin', 'The Devil's Widow' and 'The Devil's Woman', is a 1970 British folk horror film directed by Roddy McDowall. The film stars Ava Gardner and Ian McShane with Richard Wattis, Cyril Cusack, Stephanie Beacham, Sinad Cusack and Joanna Lumley.
Production
The film was made by Commonwealth United Entertainment. It was produced by Alan Ladd, Jr. and Stanley Mann, from a screenplay by William Spier based on the traditional Scottish poem 'The Ballad of Tam Lin'. The film had original music by Stanley Myers and a musical version of the original poem recorded by the British folk rock band Pentangle, and was photographed by Billy Williams. It was the only film directed by McDowall.
Filming took place in the summer of 1969 at Traquair House and other locations in Peeblesshire, Scotland.'Shooting Now: Location', 'Kinematograph Weekly' 19 July 1969'Gershwin-Kastner's 'Toys' Rolls Scot Locationing', 'Variety' 16 July 1969 The cast stayed at the Peebles Hydro Hotel. Interiors were shot at Pinewood Studios, on sets designed by art directors John Graysmark and Donald M. Ashton. Costumes were designed by Beatrice Dawson and Ava Gardner's gowns executed by Balmain.
It's possible that pre-production work on this film prevented McDowall from reprising his role as Cornelius in 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes', the only one of the original five 'Planet of the Apes' films from which he is absent. The 'Apes' film had finished shooting by 25 June 1969, just two weeks before 'Tam-Lin' began.'5-Pix 20th Pact for Franciscus', 'Variety' 25 June 1969
Release
Given a limited release in Britain in December 1970, the film was shelved in the United States until 1972 when the rights were acquired by American International Pictures and it was recut and renamed 'The Devil's Widow'.
A newer release of this film (1998) (Republic Pictures Home Video) re-cut the film to be closer to Roddy McDowall's intention.
Cast
* Ava Gardner as Michaela Cazaret
* Ian McShane as Tom Lynn
* Richard Wattis as Elroy
* Cyril Cusack as Vicar Julian Ainsley
* Stephanie Beacham as Janet Ainsley
* David Whitman as Oliver
* Fabia Drake as Miss Gibson
* Sinad Cusack as Rose
* Joanna Lumley as Georgia
* Jenny Hanley as Caroline
* Madeline Smith as Sue
* Bruce Robinson as Alan
* Victoria Fairbrother as Vanna
References
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