Main Cast: Rod Taylor, Julie Christie, Edith Evans, Michael Redgrave, Flora Robson
Release Year: 1965
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 110 minutes
Plot
Young Cassidy is based upon the autobiographical writings of firebrand Irish author Sean O'Casey. Rod Taylor is Cassidy, a boisterous boy who digs ditches to support his mother (Flora Robson) and sister (Sian Phillips). In his spare time, Cassidy is active with the Irish revolutionary movement against the occupying British. He still finds time enough for romance, notably with trashy chorine Julie Christie (in her first major role) and timid librarian Maggie Smith. Cassidy's latent writing talents are encouraged by such Irish literary giants as W.B. Yeats (Michael Redgrave) and Lady Gregory (Edith Evans), and in typically expeditious Hollywood fashion Our Hero almost instantly becomes a Man of Letters. John Ford began the direction of Young Cassidy, but fell ill and had to relinquish his responsibilities to Jack Cardiff; even the most diehard auteurist will have trouble discerning the personal "signature" of either director. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
While it's far from perfect, Young Cassidy is a very decent biopic about the acclaimed Irish playwright Sean O'Casey (renamed "Cassidy" here). Cassidy's strengths lie not in the story it tells, but in the characters it introduces us to and the actors who embody them. Truth to tell, Cassidy's story is far too weak. A lot happens, but it isn't focused; we sense the dramatic structure but miss the details that would turn the structure into emotion and involvement. For example, what is it that drives the main character/? He tells us of things that are important to him, but we don't really get the sense that these are specifics; they're just generalities that don't really form the soul of the man. This isn't the fault of Rod Taylor, who gives what is probably his finest performance in Cassidy. Physically, he's a bit too robust for the part, but he understands the inner workings of the character and he captures those inner workings beautifully. A young Maggie Smith in a supporting role is also a stand-out, and an equally young Julie Christie also makes an impression. Veteran performers Flora Robson, Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans add significantly to the film's success. Perhaps if John Ford had directed all of the film, it might have had the power and focus it too often lacks; certainly, one of the scenes attributed to him -- the death of the mother -- is by far the best in the picture. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Maggie Smith - Nora; Jack MacGowran - Archie; Pauline Delaney - Bessie Ballynoy; Philip O'Flynn - Mick Mullen; T.P. McKenna - Tom; Harry Brogan - Murphy; John Cowley - Barman at Cat & Cage; May Craig; Donal Donnelly; Bill Foley - Publisher's Clerk; John Franklin - Bank Teller; Harold Goldblatt - Abbey Theatre Manager; Eddie Golden - Capt. White; Joe Lynch; Arthur O'Sullivan - Foreman; Sian Phillips - Ella; Julie Ross - Sara; Robin Sumner - Michael; Fred Johnson - Cab Driver; May Cluskey - Women in Foyer; Martin Crosbie - Hearsemen; Chris Curran - Man in Phoenix Park; Vincent Dowling - Hurlers; Tom Irwin - Constable
Credit
Michael Stringer - Art Director, Margaret Furse - Costume Designer, Jack Cardiff - Director, John Ford - Director, Anne V. Coates - Editor, Marcus Dods - Musical Direction/Supervision, Ernest Gasser - Makeup, Edward Scaife - Cinematographer, Robert Emmett Ginna - Producer, John Whiting - Screenwriter, Sean O'Casey - Book Author
