Filmed in Port Talbot, Wales, the film was directed by Chris Crow (Panic Button, The Lighthouse (2016)) and stars David Hayman, best known from his roles in Sid & Nancy and Macbeth, as well as Sianad Gregory, Ian Virgo and Ross O’Hennessy (Tribal:Get Out Alive)

 

Chris Blythe (played by Ian Virgo) returns to his home town in Wales after losing a fortune in Canada. He falls in love with Elen( played by Sianad Gregory ) , a volatile and charismatic woman. But Elen’s father Billy (played by David Hayman ) is a dangerous man and Chris finds himself torn between love and hate…

 

The film hooks you in really quickly with its lonely world and its wonderful performances, and whilst Chris might make some moves that we know will get him into trouble, we cant help worry for the man as he tries to find his place in the world but from early on the film, we know the touchpaper has been lit and its only a matter of times until things turn dark and dangerous for Chris and those around him.

 

Watching the film, I did feel that one of the ways the story might turn out, was really obvious that it was going to happen, but after watching the film, I think this was a choice made on purpose by the director. We the audience knew where the film was headed, but it was one of the main characters who wasn’t aware of their impending destiny (I have been careful to avoid spoilers)

 

All in all The Ballad of Billy McCrae is a great evenings entertainment with yet another fantastic performance by the always watchable David Hayman and with a great supporting cast too, this film definitely is one I would recommend.

Discussing the film, director Chris Crow said, “The Ballad of Billy McCrae is a film about damage and dysfunction, a film about flawed people, emotionally stunted people, people who can’t see far beyond their own desires, dreams and greed.”