To celebrate the centenary of Dylan Thomas's birth, producer Phil George and his company, Green Bay Media, were given 'a rare treat' when asked to produce a documentary about the poet's life.  My Grandfather Dylan, was broadcast on the ITV Network late last year, and according to George the programme, "attempted to challenge some of the misconceptions that have developed about one of the greatest English language poets of the 20th century".

Interviewed by local journalist Robert Lloyd at an RTS Wales session during the Carmarthen Bay Film Festival, George explained that it was a major challenge to tell the story of Dylan's life in just 23 minutes without it feeling rushed.  He said that the film's main premise is that "the familiar stereotype of the hard-drinking womaniser masked the reality of a dedicated craftsman who loved the Welsh countryside and sea towns".

In the film, Hannah Ellis, Dylan's grand-daughter, (above), visits some of the poet's favourite Welsh places to tell the story of his life and work, choosing pieces of poetry and prose which were performed by Welsh actor, Michael Sheen.  George suggested that although Dylan was enjoying the metropolitan life he found in Manhattan or Fitzrovia, he loved to return to Wales to gain inspiration and to write.  Although Dylan did not speak Welsh and wrote in English, George is convinced that "the rhythms and patterns of Welsh infuse his poetry and prose", a view illustrated by the success of the Welsh language film version of Under Milk Wood, Dan y Wenallt, which was also shown at the festival.