Studiocanal has announced the February release of two Welsh cinema classics from years past, the 1949 The Last Days of Dolwyn and the 1953 Valley of Sing, both of which will be making their UK DVD debut.

Last Days of Dolwyn (1949)

The peaceful village of Dolwyn is known for its friendly folk and its simple ways. But this idyllic retreat in North Wales is about to be thrown into utter turmoil thanks to the arrival of a ruthless water company. Due to geological difficulties the only way to complete their planned reservoir is to flood the village of Dolwyn. The campaign is lead by an embittered local who has returned from the big city and is intent on destroying the place he once called home. Are the village residents capable of fighting the industrialists and saving their home? Or is this truly the last days of Dolwyn?

Written and directed by Emlyn Williams (an actor and writer whose only film this was as director), this compelling and tragic British melodrama stars Edith Evans, Anthony James and Emlyn Williams himself, and is known for being one of Richard Burton’s earliest roles on film.

Valley of Song (1953)

Cliff Gordon’s celebrated play Choir Practice is brought vividly to life in fifties British comedy classic Valley Of Song. Directed by Gilbert Gunn (Operation Bullshine, Girls At Sea), it stars some of British cinema’s most beloved stars including Mervyn Johns (Scrooge, Dead of Night, Went the Day Well?), Clifford Evans (Curse of The Werewolf), and Maureen Swanson (A Town like Alice).

Valley Of Song tells the story of hapless small town boy Geraint Llewellyn. Having spent five years in London, Geraint returns to the quaint Welsh village where he grew up to fulfil the role of choirmaster within the local church. Having chosen Handel’s Messiah for the choir’s showcase piece, he inadvertently causes fierce rivalries to surface when trying to pick a soloist. The consequences of which are hilariously catastrophic and begin to affect the entire village. This choir may have the voices of angels, but they certainly don’t have the patience to match. There are two young people who genuinely suffer through this state of affairs: Cliff and Olwen. They are in love but the feud threatens to tear them apart.

Both films will be released individiually on 18th February 2013 by Studiocanal at the RRP of £15.99 each.

No extra features will be on either disc.

To coincide with the release there will also be a selection of special screenings at The Chapter Cinema in Cardiff:

Sunday 3rd Feb and Tuesday 5th Feb: Last Days of Dolwyn
Sunday 10th Feb and Tuesday 12th Feb: Valley Of Song
Sunday 17th Feb and Tuesday 19th Feb: Proud Valley (already released on DVD)