He may be a global legend, with his own globally-celebrated night to boot, but the work of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns hasn’t seen a lot of big screen action; there’s a few old animations of Tam O’Shanter that get pressed into service for educational purposes, but Roddy McDowell’s 1970 film is one of the few that attempted to translate Burns world-view to a mainstream audience. So put aside Tam O’Shanter and his unfortunate horse, mixing it up with local witches, and strap in for an altogether different Tam; Tam Lin, and his entanglements with the toughest of opposition, the Scottish fairie realm.
Except McDowell skips most of the supernatural elements and updates things to the modern world of sports cars, drugs and horrible entourages of hangers-on; Tom Lynn (Ian McShane) is part of the swinging group that follow Michaela Cazaret (Ava Gardner) a woman with Liz Taylor-level riches and a wardrobe to match; the credits mention that her gowns are ‘executed by’ French luxury house Balmain, and execution would be too good for some of them. Tom Lynn is her lover, but he quickly discovers that very bad things have happened to her previous paramours, so Tom has a sense of foreboding that he might come to a sticky end. A pure of heart vicar’s daughter (not very Scottish detail, but there you go) played by Stephanie Beecham offers him a way out of his fashionable trap, but Cazaret is unwilling to let her plaything go…
McDowell was as much in thrall of Gardner as Tam Lin was to the fairy queen he courted, and fashioned The Ballad of Tam Lin as a heartfelt Valentine to his muse; despite that, it’s quite an unflattering view of a character described here as an ‘old bitch in heat’. Gardner was no spring chicken, but that’s kinda right for this role, and we’re meant to sympathise with our young leads keen to avoid having their true love blighted by an older generation. Elsewhere, the 1970 details offers distractions a-go-go; blue space hoppers, Joanna Lumley, Gardner biting McShane’s bare bottom, Traquair Castle and the luxurious Scottish backdrop of Peebleshire; throw in a two headed snake and you’ve got a perfect storm of dreamlike elements that add to the otherness of the whole piece.
The Ballad of Tam Lin was swiftly recut and re-marketed as a horror film (The Devil’s Widow), but even folk horror doesn’t quite fit this film. In love with corruption and decay, it’s a strange but worthwhile re-issue; as our villainess says. ‘I never resign myself, I never give in and I never let go that is the elixir of life .’
Thanks to BFi for access to this title. A BFI Blu-ray release from 10 October 2022
Order THE BALLAD OF TAM LIN from the BFI Shop:
https://shop.bfi.org.uk/the-ballad-of-tam-lin-blu-ray.html
DEEPER INTO WEIRD WALK: THE BALLAD OF TAM LIN
Mon 31 October. Rio Cinema, Dalston, London: “The Ballad of Tam Lin” with special guests Ian McShane and Stewart Lee. *Tickets on sale on Friday.
Special features
- Presented in High Definition
- Audio commentary by BFI Flipside co-founders William Fowler and Vic Pratt (2021)
- Love You and Leave You For Dead (2021, 11 mins): Ian McShane on Tam Lin
- An Eerie Tale to Tell (2021, 10 mins): Stephanie Beacham on Tam Lin
- Ballad of a B-Movie: Revisiting Tam Lin (2021, 12 mins): interview with Roddy McDowall biographer David Del Valle
- Legendary Ladies of the Silver Screen: Ava Gardner (1998, 18 mins): Roddy McDowall remembers Ava Gardner and The Ballad of Tam Lin in this adoring archive introduction
- Adventures Along the Way (2022, 32 mins): actress Madeline Smith looks back on being one of the coven
- Listening In (2022, 27 mins): Jacqui McShee, lead singer of the seminal British folk group Pentangle, recalls the writing and recording of the film’s cult soundtrack
- Hans Zimmer on Stanley Myers (2021, 20 mins, audio only): the much-loved composer discusses the work of Stanley Myers
- Red Red? Red (Jim Weiss, Chris Maudson, John Phillips, 1971, 34 mins): an impressionistic study of a commune in Devon where people dress up, play instruments, make love and take part in strange revolutionary games
- Border Country (26 mins): rare short films from the BFI National Archive reveal rural lifestyles at Scotland’s edge
- Theatrical trailer
- ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with a new essay on the film by the BFI’s William Fowler, essays by Sam Dunn and Corinna Reicher, a contemporary review by Tom Milne from Monthly Film Bulletin and notes on the special features and credits
Wonder if the marketing team wil pick up on “Gardner biting McShane’s bare bottom” – that might have sold it from the off. A long-lost movie that I don’t think even got many showings in Scotland. But if I say I’m tempted to see it I hope this will not be construed as a desure to see the young McShane’s arse or Gardner’s teeth.
I don’t want to hype up that scene too much, but it is there. Blue spacehoppers too, just as Burns imagined.
Burns was always ahead of the game.
O do love it when we see the same movie. Let’s confer on this one.. check out my review. Also, while you there do join the Christopher Plummer blogathon… Go on you know you want to.
Anyone grabbed The Royal Hunt of the Sun? Watch it every year…
Nope, its all yours,,,
Yep, this is showing up in the feed right after Big Man. I was wondering why you hadn’t posted a movie review today. And now I know!
Your actual site has this post as the latest, but I’m guessing scheduling and updating of times screwed things over.
If Conan were running things, you’d be all set. Just sayin’….
Yup, I got the scheduling wrong, and accidentally posted this yesterday before I’d had the chance to add some typos.
Well, that was nice of you. Always makes Alex feel important when he can correct you…
I spend more time creating the typos than writing the reviews. Maybe I should just write The Ballad of Tam Lin- Four Stars and that’s it.
I think you should write The Ballad of Tam Lin Foor Stars.
That way everyone can be happy.
Yes, the words and pictures are ruining my reviews.
That’s actually the problem w most movies. Don’t blame yourself
This is showing up further down the page in the reader. I blame the faeries.
character describes here
I was thinking of buying a small rural property in Scotland. My agent sent me the listing for what looks like a suitable pied-à-terre for the few days a year I plan to visit. Have you been?
https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedrseds210327
Thanks for the typo! Not familiar with this particular castle, but it’s a typical Scottish residence. Have you got the cash to hand?
Purchase will be cash down, won’t bother with a mortgage. Was thinking of renting it out on air bnb during the time I’m away. I don’t imagine anyone will mind. Seems like a good neighbourhood.
Auchtermuchty is very nice. Will you bring your own staff?
Just my usual posse.
BTW, will I be correct in pronouncing this Oktermuckty, Coopar? I want to fit in with the locals.
Och- ter- muck-tay.
Aye then, I ken ye. With my tammie and my tartan and my walking stick everyone will take me for one of the ancient lairds of Fife come to reclaim my inheritance. Soon as I take possession I’ll send out invites to all of you to come to Uckymuckytay to celebrate.
Are you making fun of Scottish place names and heritage?
Not a bit. Like the whole country so much I may buy it.
Great. I’ll need the three digits on the back of your debit card.
I’ve spoken to Nicola already. For help bailing you guys out over the Darien scheme she says she’s good about me taking over.
Great, well you’ll be safer that the guy building golf courses with borrowed Saudi Arabian money, so I think we can move forward. You know there’s a title comes with the castle? You’ll be Laird Good of Auchtermuchty. Till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsidane, or the next referendum, whichever comes first. Do you have your own tartan?
Don’t worry about the chubby golf guy with the inappropriate red ballcap. I’ll round up a bunch of likely lads and take care of him. As for the referendum, I’ll just buy everyone a round of drinks on the day of the vote.
Canada actually has its own nice selection of regional tartans. The Maple Leaf tartan strikes me as handsome and understated. Think I’ll go with that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_tartans_of_Canada
You’ll sell a lot of shortbread with a fine weave like that! And I’ll need a provisional name for your ice hockey/curling winter sports team?
The Battling Beavers. Does Scotland have beavers? They do now.
“Beavers have a vital role to play in tackling the growing crisis facing nature. Achieving a thriving national population of beavers which is spread throughout Scotland’s lochs and rivers will unlock a huge range of benefits, including boosting biodiversity and creating new opportunities for wildlife tourism.
Scottish Beavers it is then. First they came to compete, then they came to take over . . .
Great. I’ve trademarked the name ‘Alex Good: Scottish Beaver’.
I feel like Max Aitken.
You’re out of luck, he’s no longer with us.