TALIESIN JONES

GB
2000
1hr 33mins
Dir: Martin Duffy
Starring: Griff Rhys Jones and Geraldine James

A lonely boy, from a broken family, becomes inspired by faith healers

This family drama was originally entitled The Testimony of Taliesin Jones, the name of the 1996 Rhidian Brook novel on which it is based. Although the title was shortened before release, the full title is still often seen in the credits though its alternate name for release in the US was Small Miracles. The film features a number of contemporary railway scenes, mostly filmed at Pontypridd station. First, there is a shot of a Class 150/2 ‘Sprinter’ DMU leaving, then scenes filmed onboard a unit. However, a scene at Barry Town station features an arrival with a Class 142 ‘Pacer’ DMU so John-Paul Macleod (who plays Taliesin), has had a change of train en route. Later scenes at Pontypridd show Class 150/2 ‘Sprinter’ DMU No.150276 arriving, and then a scene on the platforms with a pair of 150/2s coupled together. In the film, Pontypridd was renamed ‘Cwmderwen’ and Barry Town became ‘West Haven’.