John Clare: "I Am"

Synopsis

A film biography by David Jones with Freddie Jones as John Clare "I am - yet what I am, none cares or knows" (John Clare) John Clare (1792-1864), farm labourer, had three obsessions: his youthful love for Mary Joyce, the countryside of his native Northamptonshire, and the need to celebrate both in his poetry. Clare cracked under the increasing strain of poverty and neglect, and spent the last 23 years of his life in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. He imagined himself to be Lord Byron, a bigamist, and a prize-fighter; but the poems of his madness are perhaps the most remarkable he ever wrote. "Clare's asylum foretells our need for an asylum, his deprivation foretells our deprivation" (Geoffrey Grigson) Commentary spoken by Tony Church (from BBC Midlands) (David Jones and Patrick Stewart are members of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Tony Church appears by permission of the Northcott Theatre, Exeter)

Main Cast

Freddie Jones

John Clare

Age : N/A | Popularity : 60%

Gerald Lawson

Parker, Clare's Father

Age : N/A | Popularity : 5%

Elizabeth Croft

Anne, Clare's Mother

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Martin Howells

Young Clare

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Sharon Gurney

Mary Joyce

Age : 74 | Popularity : 3%

Jenny Heslewood

Patty Clare

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Jonathan Dennis

Marquis of Exeter

Age : N/A | Popularity : 0%

Brian Tully

Taylor, Clare's Publisher

Age : N/A | Popularity : 4%

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Directing	Director	David Jones
Department	Role	Name

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