Movie Description
John Clare: "I Am"
(1970)Overview
A film biography by David Jones with Freddie Jones as John Clare "I am - yet what I am, none cares or knows" (John Clare) John Clare (1792-1864), farm labourer, had three obsessions: his youthful love for Mary Joyce, the countryside of his native Northamptonshire, and the need to celebrate both in his poetry. Clare cracked under the increasing strain of poverty and neglect, and spent the last 23 years of his life in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. He imagined himself to be Lord Byron, a bigamist, and a prize-fighter; but the poems of his madness are perhaps the most remarkable he ever wrote. "Clare's asylum foretells our need for an asylum, his deprivation foretells our deprivation" (Geoffrey Grigson) Commentary spoken by Tony Church (from BBC Midlands) (David Jones and Patrick Stewart are members of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Tony Church appears by permission of the Northcott Theatre, Exeter)
Featured Crew
- Director : David Jones
- Cast : Freddie Jones,Gerald Lawson,Elizabeth Croft,Martin Howells,Sharon Gurney,Jenny Heslewood,Jonathan Dennis,Brian Tully,Patrick Stewart,Patrick Godfrey,Stanley Lebor,Mary Griffiths,Betty Turner,Alan Stuart,Philip Garston-Jones,John Hart Dyke,Cameron Miller,Penelope Keith,Tony Church
Cast
John Clare
Parker, Clare's Father
Anne, Clare's Mother
Young Clare
Mary Joyce
Patty Clare
Marquis of Exeter
Taylor, Clare's Publisher
Cyrus Redding
WF Knight
Shylock
Schoolteacher
Granny Bains
Mr Drury
Mr Newcombe
Dr Allen
Dr Skrimshire
Agnes Strickland
Narrator
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Facts
Original TitleJohn Clare: "I Am"
Status Released
Release Information
-
1970-02-08
Original LanguageEnglish




























