THE TESTIMONY OF TALIESIN JONES (SMALL MIRACLES)

UK, 2000, 93 minutes, Colour.
John- Paul Macleod, Jonathan Pryce, Geraldine James, Matthew Rhys, Robert Pugh, Griff Rhys- Jones, Ian Bannen.
Directed by Martin Duffy.

The Testimony of Taliesin Jones won a number of awards, especially at children’s film festivals (including Chicago and Berlin). It is a moving story focusing on a twelve-year-old excellently played in low-key manner by John- Paul Macleod who also does the voice-over. The setting is Wales, Jonathan Pryce is his father, Geraldine James is his mother who has walked out on the family. Matthew Rhys plays his older brother. Also in the cast are Griff Rhys- Jones as a sympathetic schoolteacher, Robert Pugh as a sympathetic fruit seller and Ian Bannen as an old man who has a mystical power of healing by touch.

The film shows an intelligent young boy, a bookish boy rather than an athletic type, though he loves football, who is continually reading, asking deep questions and puzzled about religion. The film explores aspects of religion, especially stages of growth in faith. The boy believes while his family doesn’t. When he meets the healer, he shares in his power, especially in the healing of an elderly woman. In fact, warts on his hand are also healed. He wants to give testimony to God but is rather ignored by the clergyman at the parish.

He forms a group and they try healing themselves, especially with a diabetic – which does not have its effect. In trouble with the authorities and the boy’s mother, and the criticisms of the family as well as the death of the old man, all lead to a loss of faith by the young boy. However, the teacher explores the nature of faith, the fact that things can’t be proven, that one must allow for the reality of faith (the basic meaning of the word ‘belief’).

The film is set in the real world, a family disrupted by the mother leaving, the anger of the older brother, the stoic acceptance by the father who does burst out at times in anger. There are the realities of school, bullying at school. However, the film is interesting in its presentation of religious themes for a popular audience.

1.A British production, the setting in Wales? The adaptation of a novel?

2.The portrait of a family, the flashbacks to the family together, the picnic, discussions, maps, fantasies about travelling? The reality of break-up, the effects on husband, children? Issues of religion and faith? Miracles and healing? Loss of faith? Definition and explanation of faith?

3.The title, the focus on Tal, his experience and testimony? The alternate title of Small Miracles?

4.The picture of Wales, the village, the countryside, the trips to the city, school and home, church? Musical score and mood?

5.The introduction to the Jones family, Tal’s voice-over? His character, issues, his asking questions, Genesis and Creation, God and faith? Literal meanings? Imaginative meanings? The place of his mother, in his memories, her leaving, her motivation, the effect? His father and his being stoic as well as fair to his ex-wife? Jonathan and his anger, his moods, his criticisms of Tal, teasing him? The phone calls to their mother? Packing her things? Her birthday, the visit, her return for the furniture, meals with the family, angers, upset, concern for Tal and his illness, the planning of the divorce? Her boyfriend? The future?

6.Tal and his age, birthday, becoming twelve, his father and his support, Jonathan and playing in the cave with him, imagining the dragon? Jonathan teasing, criticising about faith? At school, the teacher, the discussion about religion in class, Neil and his cynical comments about nobody believing? Anti-religion and stances? The family not believers? The background of the Welsh Church, the woman doing the reading, spirituality, the raising of Lazarus and other miracle stories?

7.Tal and his books, Genesis, literal interpretation, the storekeeper giving him the apple, discussions about pomegranates, the church and texts?

8.Billy Evans? Meeting him, the piano lessons, sympathetic talk, Billy’s reputation as a healer, his being religious, a man of faith, the woman coming for the laying on of hands, inviting Tal to lay hands, the woman being healed? God, God’s instrument, prayer? Tal intrigued, asking for the healing of his warts? Its not happening immediately, playing football with Jonathan, taking off his gloves, discovering his hands were healed? His wanting to give testimony, going to the church but the priest ignoring him? His group, called a gang, trying to heal the diabetic boy, the reaction of the boy’s mother, of the teacher? The discussions with Tal?

9.Billy’s death, the minister arriving, Tal wanting him to resuscitate Billy, quoting John 11 and Lazarus? The minister’s response?

10.Tal and his visit to his mother, her boyfriend, their talk, the meal, his hair being done, accepting his mother’s leaving, his mother wanting more in life?

11.Billy’s death, the criticisms, losing his faith, going into the cave, Jonathan rescuing him? His illness? Billy appearing to him, saying he was with him always? The teacher’s visit, the explaining of the word ‘belief’ and making allowances for faith? His going to school, to the assembly, giving his testimony, proclaiming his faith, not having certainty? Neil and his interjections, later asking him to heal his hand, trying to have faith and praying, making an appointment for another laying on of hands?

12.Issues of faith, belief, allowing for faith, the impossibility of proving faith? Billy’s appearing, Tal’s observation that one can’t see the sun but sees its light and the same with Billy?

13.The exploration of a younger boy’s handling of the realities of life, family, going deeper, growth and stages in faith?