Huw Morgan (Roddey McDowall) is the youngest of seven children born to a poor Welsh couple. There are six boys in the family, and one girl.
Every day, the six oldest boys and their father go off to work in a coal mine to earn what little money they can get. The Morgan family lives in a valley where alomst every man works in that same coal mine for the same incredibly low wages.
One day, it is posted that there will be a reduction in wages; everyone will make the same wage. In some cases, wages had been drastically reduced. Outraged, the Morgan children plan to take job action against the owners of the coal mine, and they know that most of the other workers will follow them. Their own father (Donald Crisp), however, protests the job action. He will not join in.
As a result, Mr. Morgan and his children have a terrible fight. The children decide to leave the home, and eventually the country as well. The will go to America.
During this whole ordeal, young Huw is learning valuable lessons. It is only now that Huw becomes the man of the house; the one who must protect his poor mother and father, even though he is just a preteen himself.
How Green was my Valley is a nice family movie. It isn't violent, but there is a GREAT DEAL of sexual innuendo present throughout the movie. This does spice it up, though.
I must admit that I didn't think much of the film by it's title, and yes, I was judging a book by it's cover. The movie does give some moral lessons, and it is sad at the end, but it is also a bit boring.
Plot: 
The story revolves around a poor Welsh family named Morgan. The story is mainly about the youngest of seven children, a boy named Huw. The story covers a lot of ground, and does a good job of going over young Huw's life.
Visual Effects:
There aren't too many visual effects. Black & white cinematogrphy, despite winning the Oscar, is average and plain. Nothing special to it at all.
Sound:
The score is slightly above average, but again, nothing special.
Character Development:
From the beginning of the picture to the end, young Huw Morgan goes from the young boy of the family to the man of the house. The picture is basically about Huw growing up; he does a great deal of that, to be sure.
Atmosphere: 
The film may not be for everyone; it does tend to be quite boring in some places.
Realism:
This picture, How Green was my Valley, is a wonderful example of the goings on of a typical Welsh family in the early 20th century. However, all that romance stuff really turns this picture slightly Hollywoodish.
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
Blossoms In the Dust; Citizen Kane; Here Comes Mr. Jordan; Hold Back the Dawn; *How Green Was My Valley; The Little Foxes; The Maltese Falcon; One Foot in Heaven; Sergeant York; Suspicion
7.57/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
11-01-05
Age at win: 60
Nominated for: Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Mr. Morgan, How Green was My Valley
Nomination: 1/1 (acting), 1/1 (total); Win: Only
Donald Crisp plays Mr. Morgan as the stern authority figure; the father of the family, the man of the house. He does as good a job of the part as David Tomlinson did as Mr. Bnaks in Mary Poppins.
Crisp, and his young co-star, Roddy McDowel, have terrific chemistry together. When acting towards McDowel, Crisp shows that he could be as mean and fowl tempered as he had to be, yet loving and nurturing when he wanted to.
His best scene is right at the end of the film, when he is trapped in the mine. He says a few last word to his son, Huw, before passing way. He is very touching in that scene, and exits the picture gracefully.
11-01-05
