Man In An Orange Shirt - Michael's Letter

Michael's unsent love letter. Music: Dan Jones. Voice: Oliver Jackson Cohen. Words: Patrick Gale

A Kudos Production for BBC
Part of the BBC's Gay Britannia season

Unofficial

[withonevoicechoir]

I’m so glad to see that I’m not alone in loving this film, especially the first half. I’d like to think in spite of what we learn in the second half of the film that Michael finds Thomas in Cassis later in their lives, rejecting societal pressure. On that idea, I find the scene with Thomas’s mother almost unbearably painful.
Upon seeing the film recently, I was again so moved by Dan Jones’ gorgeous score, which captures all of the deep longing, hope, unanswered questions, joy, ecstasy and torments of the lovers. Like a good opera score, the music provides commentary and context to a powerful and heartbreaking story.

[NorthernFella]

This was perhaps one of the most powerful dramas I've ever seen! The first one had me in tears! How tragic they loved each other so much but homophobic society kept them apart!

[bennomedina-quinsella]

"...making toast, raking leaves, sitting in silence..."
Weeping...
Watching this film was devastating.
But it was nothing compared to the love and pain these 2 souls experienced.
They set a standard for eternal love that will never be met.
And maybe that's the way it should be.
I am a better person for watching them in love...still smh
Can't help but wonder if the 2 actors know what they have done...I hope so...

[mrscashmorrisey]

I've watched this movie so many times, that I know almost all the words of this letter. It's heartbreaking that Thomas didn't know how much Michael loved him. As for the actor, Oliver Jackson, I can listen to him read the dictionary.

[sfdudeca]

OMG!! Those eloquent words. That beautiful, moving orchestral music. This is old-fashioned movie caliber dreaminess that moved me to tears. When I started to get to know my boyfriend, we broke-up for a short period. But it was short because I couldn't get him out of my head. Much like this character speaking, I was — as I am today — in love with my guy. And this letter reminds me of that period in my life when I didn't have him in mine. The "Man In An Orange Shirt" is a poignantly well-crafted story, especially the first half that takes place post-World War II. Bravo, BBC, BRAVO!!

[edrianbobb]

Man in an Orange Shirt is beautifully written. I was amazed at how good the story was—truly an art.
This deserves to be seen by more people.

[canaanhomela]

"The love i feel for you runs through me like grain through wood" 😭❤

[morakito]

I have felt deep emotions when i watched this film. Love is purity and enlightenment, a sacred feeling that will endure forever

[Einsamerick]

"My darling Thomas
I'm at work. Nobody knows I'm writing to you here. You refuse my visits so you're probably tearing up my letters, too. But there's nothing else I can do but keep trying. It's beyond my control, do you see? All those months ago when I had nothing to lose really I wrote to you in my head but was too cowardly to set more than lies on paper and now I find I no longer care. The love I feel for you runs through me like grain through wood. I love you, Thomas. Your face, your voice, your touch enter my mind at the least opportune moments and I find I have no power to withstand them. No desire to. I want us to be together as we were in the cottage. Only for ever, not just a weekend. I want it to go on so long that it feels normal. I think of you constantly. Your face, your breath on my neck at night. I want to do all the ordinary unbedroomy things we never got around to doing. Making toast. Raking leaves. Sitting in silence. I love you, Thomas. I've always loved you. I see that now. Tell me I'm not too late."

[JT-cmdi]

Can I say this is the sweetest gay love letter in the history? <3

[paulmoreno]

So glad someone made a video of just the letter.

[cedric]

Here is the complete text of the letter, as read by Adam in part 2:
My darling Thomas. Nobody knows I'm writing to you here. You refuse my visits. So you're probably tearing up my letters too. But there's nothing else I can do but keep trying. It's beyond my control, do you see. All those months ago when I had nothing to loose really, I wrote to you in my head but was too cowardly to set more than lies on paper. And now I find I no longer care. The love I feel for you runs through me like grain through wood. I love you Thomas. I love you. Your face, your voice, your touch enter my mind at the least opportune moments and I find I have no power to withstand them. No desire to. I want us to be together as we were in the cottage. Only forever, not just a weekend. I want it to go on so long that it feels normal. I think of you constantly. Your face, you're breath in my neck at night. I want to do all the ordinary, unbedroomy things we never got around to doing. Making toast. Raking leaves. Sitting in silence. I love you, Thomas. I've always loved you, I see that now. Tell me I'm not too late.

[stephaneblanc]

Voilà bien longtemps qu'une histoire ne m'avait pas fait me sentir aussi désemparé. Je crois que je ne me lasserai pas de le revoir.

[nedgreene]

To find a love like that at my age when time for me is short. To be loved so passionately!!!

[junhongzhang]

I hate that he did not post the letter. I hate that he gave up. Michael

[nastynat]

The letter is a good description of Adam's feeling towards Steve. Adam loves Steve with so much passion. Every time, Steve touches or kisses Adam, Adam has the reaction as Micheal describe in the letter : "The love i feel for you runs through me like grain through wood". That description is so powerful of Adam's love for Steve and vice versa.

[hamptonkashikyri]

the letter sent me reeling for nearly two weeks now. Knows such a pivot point. So hard to endure at times, but to have loved. My guess in reality is that they went to Cassis as both were so helplessly prone to doing so.

[morakito]

I believe that gay men in the 1940's had to conceal their love and feelings, and because of this, their deep emotions were full of values.. they knew that love was too precious to be taken for granted, unlike this era..

[neilwarr]

Wonderful programs so sad bought tears to my eyes

[jack]

It’s too late michael, why you didn’t send the letter 😢 this is true love, been apart because of hatred by homophobic people...im too sad, i keep thinking about their story and back to the past, there’s might be love like this, forbidden love but yet it was so beautiful and touching..