Young Cassidy
Young Cassidy is a 1965 British biography drama film directed by Jack Cardiff and starring Rod Taylor, Julie Christie, and Maggie Smith. It is a biographical drama based upon the life of the playwright Seán O'Casey.
Plot
Set in 1911 and the growing protest against British rule in Ireland, young John Cassidy is a labourer by day and a pamphleteer by night. When the pamphlets he has written incite riots, Cassidy realizes he can do more for his people with the pen than with the sword. He writes a new play, The Plough and the Stars, which he submits to the Abbey Theatre, and is surprised when W. B. Yeats, the founder of the Abbey, accepts and produces his new play. The opening of the play causes the audience to riot, and he loses many friends; but he is undeterred and is soon acclaimed as Ireland's outstanding young playwright.Cast
- Rod Taylor as John Cassidy
- Maggie Smith as Nora
- Julie Christie as Daisy Battles
- Michael Redgrave as W. B. Yeats
- Edith Evans as Augusta, Lady Gregory
- T. P. McKenna as Tom
- Jack MacGowran as Archie
- Siân Phillips as Ella
- Flora Robson as Mrs. Cassidy
- Pauline Delaney as Bessie Ballynoy
Production
Based on Seán O'Casey's autobiography Mirror in My House, the movie began production in 1964, changing his name in the film to John Cassidy. O'Casey had read earlier drafts of the movie, and gave his approval to the script, as well as to the choice of lead actor, Rod Taylor.
Rod Taylor stepped in when the original choice for the role, Sean Connery, had to drop out because of scheduling conflicts with the James Bond movie Goldfinger. Prior to Connery, Richard Harris was attached.
The movie was initially directed by John Ford, but he fell ill about two weeks into production and was replaced by Jack Cardiff. Filming was held up for two weeks. Only one member of the cast was replaced – Sian Phillips came in for Siobhán McKenna. O'Casey died shortly before production on the film finished.