Alfred Wallis (1855-1942)

The commentary consists entirely of the recollections of his family and local people who knew him both before and after he started to paint.

They recall, often in Cornish dialect, his fascination with boats and the sea. his marine store and ice-cream selling, and their bemused attitude to the attention his paintings received from professional artists.

The film provides a general account of Wallis's life in St. Ives and the selection of paintings covers a wide span of his work.

The film evokes Wallis's character and bears out the observation by a contemporary artist that, although professional, "we seemly can't get the sea so real as he did."

Credits: Production Company: Mason Bruce Associates. Filmed for the Arts Council of Great Britain. 1973 Colour, 23mins.

Distributed by Concord Films Council Ltd (now Concord Media) - this film can be purchased in DVD or VHS format here.....