Set against the background of a grimy village near Nottingham, this story of a coal-miner's son with promising artistic talent unfolds with sensitivity and intelligence in Jack Cardiff's adaptation of DH Lawrence's semi-autobiographical novel. Caught up between his mother's possessiveness and his father's violent bouts, Paul Morel sacrifices both the chance to study art in London and the local girl he loves, eventually becoming involved in a damaged relationship with a woman separated from her husband. A powerful and moving story intensely acted by a fine cast.