"The Dream Of Olwen" in the MOVIE - "While I Live" - '47

[@paulsutton5896]

It is indeed a splendid piece - at one time to be found in the storage compartment of every piano seat in the land. Along with two other pieces which I can think of.

[@ameliachamberlain4507]

I am Now 82 years of age and I remember seeing this film when I lived in Belfast and it was just after it came out in 1947 and I have always loved this piece of music.

[@jeanfryer3998]

Absolutely the same with me. Play it often. Having it at my funeral. I'm nearly 82 also

[@normapovey6268]

My mother played it for me on a record,and sang to it.i have always loved it, thank you

[@Katatat1]

I am 58 in 2 mths time and this music has stayed with me from being 8/9yrs old . . . .I love it! The actual story of the movie escapes me (so I would love to see it again) but the tune has stayed with me as a favourite of mine foraround 50 yrs. Such is the power of music. Thank you for posting this.

[@maryhodnett7636]

I saw this film as a young child of 7. It inspired my love of music forever, It is so romantically sad but very beautiful, Thank you for sharing it. Mary Hodnett

[@soizicduvignoul1547]

I have been told, by my dad, in the 50's, this was the schindlers list of its day. In that any one who was learning piano wanted to play this wonderful piece……the film was filmed at Trebarwith strand near Tintagel north cornwall….my home……id recognise that headland (penalick point anywhere) …..well the outside scenes were….the piece was written in the style of rachmaninov/tchykovsky…..thank you for posting….allowing its discovery……beautiful!!!!!!!!!

[@lizcole3975]

Dream of olwen my favorite music I love the sound of the piano can't describe it it's so moving.

[@CliffUK49]

Every time I hear this music it makes me cry, it is so beautiful.

[@stevecowdry]

My Dad's favourite piece - he'd play it on a Sunday morning - while Mum cooking the roast - happy memories.....!

[@morgylyn]

Not a dry eye in the house, this is so very beautiful, a wonderful film with an amazing sound track. Thank you for sharing.

[@jasonbarnes957]

Pulls on those heartstrings just beautiful. My Mum used to tell me about this film before she passed away.

[@coolcaz198]

I remember this film as a child and it had a real impact on me! I don’t know why I’ve just remembered it but I’ve found the dvd see if it still has the impact on me

[@daveyhouston]

It’s not on dvd in America!!

[@BroadwayG]

Interestingly, the music became more popular than the movie. People came to see the movie several times just to hear this music by Charles Williams. So haunting.

[@FlashHarry621]

BroadwayG I can believe that. There were a rash of pseudo- and actual piano-concerto-scored movies in Britain at that time - Brief Encounter, Dangerous Moonlight, etc. Largely forgotten today, these musical gems gave the movies they accompanied enormous depth and atmosphere. Plus, the records - and Tchaikovsky's PC1 - topped the popular charts, too. And all the while, the Luftwaffe rained high explosives on her from above...

[@revelations5]

Ah, memories of when we enjoyed good films, and music. Very therapeutic to be able to relive those times with these classic excerpts.

[@ws74rq111]

What a beautiful, haunting tune and a great film. I've just turned 60 and this melody has stayed in my head from the fifties when I first saw the film on a 9 inch b/w telly. Very powerful music.

[@ferdinando1945]

I was astonished, astounded, the right music for the situation, it made me get goose pimples,,,,

[@christineniblett8298]

They used to play this on the BBC when I was young living in Truro brings back old memories

[@WishingMoon-kc6lx]

🍶☕🌠 I Just Love These Old Black & White Films. The Music Is Hauntingly Great! Much Appreciation

[@sw73dq]

Remember hearing this piece in a bw film on telly when very young. Remains with me ever since together with the Warsaw concerto. How wonderful it is that a person can create such a beautiful endearing tunes for many of us to treasure and share! Thank you. Should you have anything that you are yearning for, perhaps you might like to let me know. If I have them I'd be very happy to upload for you.

[@jeffrush2ify]

when I was a little lad ( i'm now 68) I requested this tune at a butlins holiday hotel in saltdean sussex. The title of the tune has stayed with me all these years. Its a haunting great tune. (jeffrush)

[@roryogorman8219]

I named my daughter Olwyn..a beautiful Welsh name..A princess in Welsh mythology, leaving white blossoms in her footsteps..(Although my daughter is half- Russian, half-Irish)...In Welsh legend Olwen was a beautiful maiden, the lover of Culhwch and the daughter of the giant Yspaddaden. Her father insisted that Culhwch complete several seemingly impossible tasks before he would allow them to marry, and Culhwch was successful with all of them.

[@Amelia4144]

+rory ogorman Nice story and nice name for your daughter. Thank you for telling it to us. Regards from Amelia, an argentine grandmother.

[@windstorm1000]

+rory ogorman imagine having a mythic name--that's so cool--resonates more than Mary, Tom or John

[@Sunflowers159]

I love those old legends.

[@uksista65]

I was named after this movie! It's strange to hear my name spoken repeatedly. Few people can say it properly these days. I would love to watch the whole thing.

[@FlashHarry621]

Olwen Suzette Stewart Great comment! The nearest I came was when a magician appeared on TV who shared my whole name - to add to the strangeness, I'm white and he's black (we are both English). It made my ears tingle! But given the unusualness (that's actually a word - I looked it up) of your name, it must have made YOUR ears positively BURN!

[@Scotseasy]

The film is on "Talking Pictures" (Channel 81 on Freeview) on Friday, 27th April, 2018, 7.45am until 9.20am : 1 hour 25 minutes, plus commercials.

[@od2958]

Me too! But my mum preferred the Olwyn spelling. Hi Olwen 👋

[@myapinion7532]

The first time l ever heard this beautiful piece of music l would have been around 7 or 8 years old. It must have been in this film on tv. I asked my mum what it was called and she said The dream of Olwyn. I immediately fell in love with the name, and mum told me when l was born they were either going to call me Olwyn or name me after my grandmother, Wilhelmina, and they chose gran's name to please her. (I get all sorts of shortened versions of that name). Then in secondary school, one of my classmates was called Olwyn and l was so jealous. I'm 65 now and it still bothers me to this day that l was given the wrong name. 😊

[@canman5060]

I wish Rachmaninoff can live long enough to listen to his influence on this work.

[@emmceeee]

Stolen, uncredited, and given new names!

[@zuhairbakdoud1360]

Ikansdian, you are right..". It is stolen ....

[@susannehall7234]

I have always liked this. My father could have been a concert pianist and used to play this in the 70s. I didn't know where it was from but i knew the name was welsh. It is a beautiful/emotional masterpiece and having just watched the girl perform it from memory is astounding. She nailed it. Superb.

[@pianomaly9859]

So haunting in fact that I fell in love with it a couple of years ago, bought the Pearl CD of British Film Music that contains it (with much other fine British film music of the time) and the Luton girls' choir singing it.

[@francisbusa1074]

I remember we played this piece in college symphonic band in 1962. I loved it then, but lost track of it until hearing it again almost 60 years later. I think I love it even more now. I read that this composer also wrote "Theme From the Apartment ". The two works have a lot of similarities. Both are very beautiful, in my opinion.

[@kaybrown4408]

This upload is very well done, had me in tears, and to have me in tears takes a lot of doing!

[@PierreParadis-sj4yg]

Remarquable! Étant jeune j'ai souvent joué cette partition. Je la possède toujours ! A 75 ans.. '.. ❤

[@rubbrhog]

I first heard thismusic in the mid 1960's at the age of ten, on a 78 record at my grandmothers...I've loved it ever since, and still have the record, and also the 78 recording of it by the Luton Girls Choir...Steve

[@ws74rq111]

There are very few pieces of music that can send a cold shiver through me, this is one and the other is " The Dambusters March ". I love David Whitfield tunes too. It must be something to do with growing up in the 50s that's stuck with me... Like to see your story sometime.....

[@janice2274]

A beatiful melody and tone.

[@robertedwards5184]

Go on KZbin and listen to the Luton Girls Choir singing this. Beautiful. 😅

[@Barynia3]

Thank you for posting this! I've been looking for it for ages! Thank you!

[@canman5060]

The Warsaw Concerto, Cornish Rhapsody, and The Dream of Olwen are all descendants from the magic touch of the Great Sergey Rachmaninoff.

[@myxklptk]

The most improbable thing about this clip is that the piano is still in tune after 25 years.

[@Lindasredrose]

I have mirrored your words in a story I have written I too am 60 and remember it well.

[@windstorm1000]

the main theme sounds very much like that of 'The Apartment' with our Ferrante and Teicher!!! Coincedence?

[@youzzername]

+windstorm1000 No coincidence. Charles Williams composed both "Dream of Olwen" and "Jealous Lover", also known as the "Theme from The Apartment".

[@1minutequickvideos-169]

Beautiful

[@rezzab]

love it thanks.

[@alainanticoli5785]

Did anybody notice that the piano musical phrase at 1:48-1:54 was stolen from Puccini's Tosca aria called "Come e' lunga l'attesa" right at the end of Puccini's opera?

[@trevorcorso5994]

You're right. I knew it sounded familiar

[@madpainterken]

I think that you are right...Lar M

[@FlashHarry621]

@sw73dq Two 78s - one: "Peg O' My Heart" by Jackie Gleason - and two: "Laura" by Pete Rugolo. Both early Fifties. I have the first one - but it has a PIECE out! I uploaded it anyway - hoping someone would have it INTACT! The second I had as child - but it got NICKED! "Warsaw Concerto" is elsewhere on this channel. The record only - the movie clip was already up. THANK you for your comment. Good luck. Mike.

[@CrosleyCarOwnersClub]

THE DREAM OF OLWEN (From “While I Live”) Lyrics: Winifred May - Music: Charles Williams "Olwen, I hear you call to me At moonrise across a golden sea; Softly the waves make melody To wake all my song of memory. Olwen, come to me, I implore. Tell me, where shall I find you? Olwen, 'til the stars shine no more, True unto you I shall be. Deep is the blue that veils the night. The light in the west has faded, But I must pursue 'til dawn breaks through The dream I am dreaming of you, Beloved. Olwen, in the wings of the wind, Fondly your voice is calling... Calling from a world far apart, And strangely, you seem to answer The dream in my heart." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (As featured on the Music of the Stars)

[@joseosmirfiorelli2527]

+Lou Rugani thank you very for the lyrics.

[@lizcole3975]

A bit like Rebecca I love it my favorite film

[@soizicduvignoul1547]

my dad told me abut this piece…..and the film…..i am now going to try and find it

[@daveyhouston]

This film feels familiar I think I might have watched it before!!

[@jesusgarzaperez]

Belleza unica

[@StRaymondtheRude]

Anyone else brought here by "A Place to Call Home?" Had never heard of this film or music until it was identified in that series.

[@gwtwvivien]

I wish to be able to find this movie. It touches my heart.

[@FlashHarry621]

If you didn't find it, "While I Live" (which features "The Dream Of Olwen") is currently available on DVD on Amazon. But beware, Amazon are timewasters if you don't live in The West...

[@FlashHarry621]

I've checked and while someone further down this thread said to try Ebay - they DON'T HAVE it. And although "While I Live full movie" is listed on KZbin's search engine - THAT doesn't exist EITHER! (I have it on VHS - glommed from TV, many years ago - but given the apparent fact it's been taken down from KZbin, I'm not about to risk ANOTHER strike!) HOWEVER... it HAS been released on DVD and is currently available from AMAZON! But beware: they're TIMEWASTERS, if you don't live in The West.

[@jimmymcgraw4322]

The first bar of this piece is engraved on the memorial stone of Thomas Aubrey Dudley. He was a talented pianist who played The Dream of Olwen for the pleasure of all who visited his home in Dunfermline. I would love to see the movie but I don't know how to get it. Any idea's anyone?

[@rbrooks2007]

It repeats on Talking Pictures TV in the UK but look for the film title While I Live. It can be found on Amazon as a DVD.

[@janealder2448]

My mum is called Olwyn she is my dream ❤️❤️❤️

[@vambokennel3213]

on tug one night this song came on,,along the way a tanker called olwen was berthed,, thought one day i will join ship..i did

[@yw1971]

Very gothic. thanks for the post. will add it to my list.

[@FlashHarry621]

@ws74rq111 I had the RECORD, in the fifties - but had to wait until the SEVENTIES before seeing the haunting movie. p.s. I turn sixty later this year!

[@FlashHarry621]

Not currently - only Amazon.

[@eannh4928]

For the complete movie see (UK Matinee2) While I Live - Sonia Dresdel, Carol Raye, Tom Walls 1947

[@Sunflowers159]

The page that link points to has now been deleted because of "multiple third party infringements of copyright". Looks as though it's only available on Amazon as a DVD now.

[@kiwihans100]

Looked everywhere on Google! Cant find who actually PLAYED THE PIANO in this film ! Does anyone know please?

[@redspecialdude1]

my sister was named after this 1962 shes 54 now

[@olwenthomas264]

Me too. I'm 50 this year :)

[@eddyfinkful]

Does anyone know of a sung version they could pass on?

[@shivkptheorganist3809]

Luton Girls' Choir version. Heavenly!

[@BalletBabyBoy]

So beautiful, full of romantic sentiment I adore it.

[@tushygalore]

Any idea where a person could get this as a full movie? The link given by AnnsChoice doesn't work anymore. Would love to be able to get it for my father, he talks about it an awful lot. :)

[@FlashHarry621]

The full movie USED to be on KZbin - but either the poster deleted it, or lost their account... either way, it's GONE now and it would be RISKY to upload it again. Although if it's not available on DVD, why would anyone have it taken down? In any case, I cannot upload it now, having lost the VT to TERMITES!

[@merlinstwin]

tushygalore I just ordered it from Amazon, but it's a PAL format which means it won't play on your DVD player if you live in the US and it doesn't support PAL format, but it will play on your computer. It played fine with VLC media player on mine. The people who sell it are upfront about this. Good luck.

[@FlashHarry621]

merlinstwin These days most players and TVs handle NTSC and PAL - but those "regional codes" can still be a bitch...

[@merlinstwin]

FlashHarry621 Yes you're quite right, but sadly I'm old school, lol. I need to upgrade my equipment. ;)

[@washingtoncurbelo8259]

+tushygalore Try asking the BBC in England. They must surely have it in their archives...I remember it as a child on TV and being swept away by the music!

[@newalm]

This sounds like a piece that George Gershwin would have wrote. Similar in composition.

[@ws74rq111]

Check out E BAY. ( Whille I Live )

[@aintnosoul5671]

She could find the house and even the piano but not the key???

[@suzannesadiiqa]

Jill Balcon did a very scary old lady in this.......

[@fatherandsonactivites7911]

Sue Harvey llo l9nger I

[@tonyanderton3521]

Terrible class-ridden British films of the period.