On a Shadowy Trail

James O’Fee has announced in his Lewis Centenary newsletter that in response to the “Shadowlands” film the South Herefordshire District Council offers a leaflet on “The Shadowlands Trail.” (Write to The Tourist Information Centre, Eddie Cross Street, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire; Tel: 01989 562768.)

The leaflet explains, “In the film, shortly before his wife’s death, the couple visited South Herefordshire…” Most filmgoers are deeply moved by the bittersweet fictional scene that takes place in the film at Golden Valley.

According to O’Fee, the Herefordshire tourist leaflet does not pretend that the visit ever took place. Furthermore, the leaflet points out that the places shown in the film are not given their correct names. “As a note of geographical accuracy, the film refers to the Golden Valley although the locations shown are actually part of the Wye Valley, while the River Dore referred to is actually the River Wye!”

O’Fee muses, “Would the truth not have been simpler?”