The Proud Valley

The story unfolds in the late 1930s, culminating in 1939. It follows the pre-war austerity and rising tensions as Europe moves toward World War II, including the day after Poland's invasion when a march to London is proposed.

Set in a small Welsh mining town where coal dominates daily life. The landscape is industrial, with terraces, a mine, and a close-knit community. The town's fortunes hinge on the mine's operation, shaping work, risk, and collective singing that underpins its social fabric.

✊ Racism

David Goliath, an African-American sailor, faces racist objections as he seeks work in the Welsh town. The film examines prejudice in the workplace and how a diverse outsider becomes part of the community through determination and resilience. It portrays how solidarity can challenge discriminatory attitudes, even within a tight-knit workforce.

⚒️ Labor

The mining work is the town's lifeblood, and its collapse forces families into poverty and reliance on social benefits. After the disaster, workers must cope with unemployment and the uncertain future of the mine. The attempt to reopen the mine represents collective action to secure livelihoods and dignity.

🎶 Community & Sacrifice

The town's choir symbolizes unity and shared identity, carried forward as a memorial for Dick Parry. Music binds neighbors and families, offering hope amid hardship. Sacrifice appears in David's actions during the disaster and the group’s willingness to risk everything to restore work and community.

🔥 Disaster & Resolve

A gas-triggered fire devastates the mine, trapping miners and testing their courage. The tense rescue attempt, followed by a fateful decision at the exit, drives home the cost of ambition and hope. The revival of mining afterward completes the arc of resilience and communal resolve.