John Clare: "I Am" (1970)
February 8, 1970Release Date
Plot.
A film biography by David Jones with Freddie Jones as John Clare "I am - yet what I am, none cares or knows" (John Clare) John Clare (1792-1864), farm labourer, had three obsessions: his youthful love for Mary Joyce, the countryside of his native Northamptonshire, and the need to celebrate both in his poetry. Clare cracked under the increasing strain of poverty and neglect, and spent the last 23 years of his life in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. He imagined himself to be Lord Byron, a bigamist, and a prize-fighter; but the poems of his madness are perhaps the most remarkable he ever wrote. "Clare's asylum foretells our need for an asylum, his deprivation foretells our deprivation" (Geoffrey Grigson) Commentary spoken by Tony Church (from BBC Midlands) (David Jones and Patrick Stewart are members of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Tony Church appears by permission of the Northcott Theatre, Exeter)
Where to Watch.
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Cast & Crew.

Freddie Jones
John Clare

Gerald Lawson
Parker, Clare's Father

Elizabeth Croft
Anne, Clare's Mother

Martin Howells
Young Clare

Sharon Gurney
Mary Joyce

Jenny Heslewood
Patty Clare

Jonathan Dennis
Marquis of Exeter

Brian Tully
Taylor, Clare's Publisher

Patrick Stewart
Cyrus Redding

Patrick Godfrey
WF Knight

Stanley Lebor
Shylock

Mary Griffiths
Schoolteacher

Betty Turner
Granny Bains

Alan Stuart
Mr Drury

Philip Garston-Jones
Mr Newcombe

John Hart Dyke
Dr Allen
Details.
Release DateFebruary 8, 1970
StatusReleased
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