the british film resource
    
 
the british film resourceThe Stars Look Down / The Proud Valley - Conflict and Unity
the british film resourceAuthor:Anton Duchesne 
 
 
Introduction Introduction
Family Conflict Family Conflict
Family Unity Family Unity
Physical / Mental Unity Physical / Mental Unity
Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Families
Relationships Relationships
Community Unity Community Unity
Community Conflict Community Conflict
Class Conflict Class Conflict
The Coal Industry The Coal Industry
 
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Family Conflict
In the opening minutes of The Stars Look Down we are shown three different conflicts. First we are shown the conflict between the miners and Barras. Then there is conflict between Mrs Fenwick and the butcher. Finally there is the conflict within the Fenwick household itself. Here it is made very clear from the start that Mrs Fenwick does not support her son in his studies. She is also unsupportive of her husband's strike action and critical of his drinking, suggesting that he saw the mine plans 'in the bottom of a pint of beer'.

When she says 'clever as he is' she is being sarcastic. This is not an image of a happy household. Davey greets his mother when she enters the room, she ignores him. The family atmosphere seems to be reflected in the room itself, which seems spartan and cold.

 
Family Unity
 
 
 
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