Set Fire to the Stars | |
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Directed by | Andy Goddard |
Written by |
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Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Chris Seager |
Edited by | Mike Jones |
Music by | Gruff Rhys |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Munro Film Services |
Release dates |
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Running time | 97 minutes [1] |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Set Fire to the Stars is a 2014 Welsh semi-biographical drama film directed by Andy Goddard in his directorial debut. Co-written by Goddard and Celyn Jones, the film stars Elijah Wood as poet John M. Brinnin and Jones as Dylan Thomas with supporting roles by Kelly Reilly, Steven Mackintosh, Shirley Henderson, and Kevin Eldon. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2014.
In 1950s New York, Harvard University graduate and aspiring poet John Malcolm Brinnin (Elijah Wood) embarks on a week-long retreat to save his hero, acclaimed Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (Celyn Jones).
Set Fire to the Stars premiered at the 2014 Edinburgh Film Festival. [2]
On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds a 58% rating based on 43 reviews. The site's consensus states: "Set Fire to the Stars doesn't quite do justice to its legendary real-life protagonist, but thanks to Celyn Jones' spirited performance, it occasionally comes close." [3] On Metacritic, the film has a 49 out of 100 rating based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [4]
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" Under Milk Wood. He also wrote stories and radio broadcasts such as A Child's Christmas in Wales and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. He became widely popular in his lifetime; and remained so after his death at the age of 39 in New York City. By then, he had acquired a reputation, which he had encouraged, as a "roistering, drunken and doomed poet". Dylan Marlais Thomas was the son of David John Thomas, a school master, and Florence Hannah Williams who married in 1903 and were living in Sketty Avenue, Sketty, Swansea when the 1911 Census was taken. Their daughter Nancy, born 1906, was not at home with them on Census Day.
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John Malcolm Brinnin was a Canadian-born American poet and literary critic.
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Dylan Marlais Thomas (1914–1953) was a Welsh poet and writer who — along with his work — has been remembered and referred to by a number of artists in various media.
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Under Milk Wood is a 2015 Welsh drama film based on the radio drama of the same name by Dylan Thomas. It is adapted and directed by Kevin Allen. The narrator is Rhys Ifans. The film was selected as the British entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards but not nominated.
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