TRISTAN AND ISOLT

UK, 1979, 91 minutes, Colour.
Richard Burton, Kate Mulgrew, Nicholas Clay, Cyril Cusack, Geraldine Fitzgerald.
Directed by Tom Donovan.

Tristan and Isolt: Old Irish myths are sombre, beloved of students of psychology, especially of Jung, and offer material for epic poetry and opera. Wagner dramatised this story. Beautifully shot in Ireland, this film gives the basic story and highlights the principal characters and tragic, tempestuous, passionate conflicts. Kate Mulgrew is a credibly lively Isolt of Ireland; Nicholas Clay is a more stolid Tristan. Richard Burton has strong presence and eloquent voice for Mark of Cornwall. For its greater part, the film is involving in a stylised way; but unfortunately, it goes on too long, losing some of the impact of the fate of the two lovers. A pity because so much is good.

1. The popularity of the legend? The many versions, poetic, operatic? The impact of this film rendering of the legend?

2. The use of Irish locations - the rugged mountain scenery, the villages, the sea, ships? The authenticity of the location photography and the suggestion of a timeless past? Editing and pace? Special effects for battles?

3. The contribution of the Chieftains' score, its plaintive tones its echoing the tragic themes? The romance?

4. Audience familiarity with the legend? The comparisons of versions? The response to the mythical past? The British and Irish history? The stuff of opera and tragedy?

5. The focus on King mark of Cornwall? Richard Burton's presence, style, voice and poetic rendition of the dialogue? His kingdom? His visit to Ireland? The encounter with Isolt? His falling in love with her? His return, his dependence on Tristan, his sendhim to Ireland for treatment, his being the intermediary? Mark's reaction to the love of Tristan and Isolt? His vengeance? The effect on him? The portrait of a tragic king?

6. Isolt and her background in Ireland, her mother and father, her life at the castle, her daily activities? An attractive heroine? The attentions of King Mark? The promised marriage? The arrival of Tristan, falling in love, the effect on her, the betrayal, her parents? The voyage? Tragic love and death?

7. Tristan as tragic hero, the dashing young prince, beloved by King Mark, his wound, the visit to Ireland, his treatment, Isolt's attention, falling in love? His role as intermediary? Trying to do the honourable thing? His response to Isolt's parents? The giving in to passion, the deception of his uncle, the tragic ending?

8. Isolt's parents, their kingdom, their love for their daughter, the treatment of King Mark, the welcoming of Tristan, facing the love affair of the two young people?

9. The atmosphere of this mythical past? The way of life, primitive yet modern? The themes set in primitive times? yet perennial?

10. The perennial appeal of this kind of romantic, heightened love, the love that will never die, passion, death?