Dulcima

The picturesque Gloucestershire countryside of the early 1970s is shown to good effect in this unusual love story, based on one of the works of H E Bates. Carol White, at the peak of her powers before her life tragically disintegrated, displays her talent and versatility as the titular character. Dulcima Gaskain is a member of a sparse and not very wealthy rural community, the eldest daughter of a poor farming couple who work her round the clock and show her no respect, let alone affection.

The ever-reliable John Mills is Mr Parker, a neighbouring farmer of mature years who has neglected himself and his property in the years since he became a widower. When he literally crashes into Dulcima's life one day whilst drink driving, the good-natured girl sees him back into his home safely out of concern and is appalled at the conditions in which he is living. But she is also surprised to find that he has a wad of money stashed in the lining of his hat, so senses an opportunity to make some cash for herself, something she is unable to do at home.

Parker is rather confused and disorientated by having his clothes washed, his home tidied up and his meals cooked for him by this pretty young girl, but quickly grows to appreciate it. Naturally he is also drawn to her physically, especially as she plays up to this, but Dulcima initially keeps him at bay by pretending she has a boyfriend knocking around called Albert - in fact, just a handsome male she saw in a photo in a magazine.

However, as Dulcima discovers that Parker has lots of money hidden around his house, her dreams become bigger. Although she's not prepared to outright steal from Parker, she's not above persuading him to throw as much of his cash at her as she can, through a combination of hard work and deception, so becomes his live-in housekeeper and is soon treating him to 'extra' parts of her personal service to him - as long as he's prepared to add it to the bill, of course. Parker has no idea she knows about his wealth, and also remains ignorant that 'Albert' does not really exist.

As Dulcima makes more money from him, she lavishes it on finer clothes and hairstyles for herself, but at the same time she isn't properly noting how Parker himself is paying more attention to his own appearance. Her involvement in his life has increased the widower's sense of self-worth and his miserly ways have given way to generosity not just towards her but to others.

Complicating the situation is the arrival on the scene of a neighbouring gamekeeper, a handsome young man who bears a passing resemblance to the 'Albert' from the magazine. Dulcima is naturally attracted to him and, as she becomes increasingly glamorous, so too is he attracted to her. Even so, she's happy to tell him a few fibs too while she juggles her position between the two men in her life.

Of course, the continual deceptions and the playing fast and loose with other people's emotions will mean that there will ultimately have to be a heavy price to pay. And although the film is very watchable throughout, it is the shocking climax that will make it memorable for most viewers. It is a climax that would certainly not be expected from the opening sequences which are very light and comedic in tone; rather cleverly, the whole feel of this film mirrors the main character's scheme, and what starts out as a bit of a lark gradually morphs into something altogether more serious as, rather too late, Dulcima herself realises the true effect of her actions...

Overall, a very good character piece. It doesn't quite have enough incident or intensity throughout to make it a truly great film, but even so, there's not much one could fault it with.

This film is particularly dear to me as they knocked down our wall while they were making it! As compensation we got an invitation to go and see them filming nearby! The film is such quintessentially English that it really should be in everyone's film library for its scenes and great acting. It reminds you very much of Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee which also hails from the Cotswolds. Both John and Hayley Mills give a great performance, and the innocence of this post war era really comes over. I noticed a couple of comments about obtaining copies of the film and wonder if anyone could let me know where they have been able to get it?

This wonderful film captures a time gone by when county life in rural England had hardly changed since the Second World War. John Mills, plays Mr Parker, a drunken farmer, living on his own in total squalor. His farm though, is stuffed full of his money. It's hidden in every conceivable place, under the floorboards, inside the toilet cistern and even in the lining of his Trilby hat. Dulcima, a twenty something year old, played by Carol White, lives on an adjacent farm and is down trodden by her brute of a father, played by Bernard Lee. She is expected to do everything in the house while he sits happily on his backside complaining about her all the time. Longing to escape this drudgery, she dreams of meeting and falling in love with a handsome stranger, who will sweep her of her feet and take her away from it all.

By chance one day, Mr Parker is returning home in his beat up old Land Rover from a trip to the pub. Drunk as a lord, he clips the baby's pram that Dulcima had just been pushing. Intent on giving him a good piece of her mind she strides up to the farm to confront him. Unfortunately she finds he's crashed out in a drunken stupor on the floor. Seeing the state he's in and the farm, she decides to straighten both out and immediately begins by cleaning the kitchen, much to the bewilderment of Mr Parker when he finally sobers up. The relationship between them, then begins to grow, with very amusing consequences as she tries to get him to part with some of his money while he tries to get her to bed.

John Mills made, at roughly the same time 'The Family Way' which was a huge success. It also stared his daughter Hayley Mills along with Hywel Bennett. Another very fine film of John's in indeed.

Carol White made two excellent hard hitting social films for TV in the late 60's, 'Poor Cow' and 'Cathy Come Home', both available on DVD, showing what a superb young actress she was at the time. Sadly she died in 1991 from a liver disease.

Dulcima is a very delightful film that to my knowledge has only been screened once on British TV. I have a fading copy on Betamax, but would love to have a crisp clean copy of it on DVD. I live in hope!

I'd just like to add here that since I posted this review Frank Nesbitt the Director contacted me thanking me for my comments regarding his film and also kindly sent me a DVD copy of 'Dulcima' for which I will be forever grateful.

I saw this film 20 years ago on with my friends. It is a wonderful film we still talk about it today with great fondness. This comedy starring John Mills is a credit to both the actors and the extremely talented Director Frank Nesbitt. We always wished to see this film again but although we all remembered this film in great detail as it is such a memorable film, the characters especially, John Mills who played Mr Parker we could not remember the title of the film. After all this time I am so happy I have finally found out the title. Dulcima is one of these masterpieces you should not miss. I will now find this film on D.V.D and I cannot wait to see the delight on my friend faces when it starts to play

This film was shown on T.v. when I was a young girl early 70's I think.Although i was young I could tell this film was a real classic. I raved about it to my friends none of whom had seen it on T.V.I think they thought I was obsessed, I was.At the time I lived in the country in a beautiful village, Hartington in Derbyshire. I think the film had such a profound effect on me because I could imagine the film's story really happening.This film has always been my favourite, when discussing movies I have said how wonderful I think it is and have been amazed that no one had heard of it. John Mills is one of my favourite actors and it was probably this film that drew my attention to any film he was in. I have recently acquired a lap top so the first thing I did was to search for Dulcima. How pleased I was to find it through Google and will be purchasing a DVD as soon as possible, like now. Its been a long time coming, but as they say things come to those who wait, so looking forward to putting it in the DVD to watch a truly amazing film and to being transformed back in time to those wonderful days of my youth. Thankyou so much to all involved.