The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker July 3, 2025

Based on the short film 'The One And Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island (2008)', original stars Tim Key and Tom Basden, and director James Griffiths return to the story some 17 years later in the feature-length 'The Ballad of Wallis Island'. The film focuses on Key's eccentric Charles, whose almost obsessive fandom of former folk duo McGwyer Mortimer compels him to book them for a private gig at his remote home on Wallis Island. The charming tale is set to an enjoyable folk soundtrack and is populated with the beautiful landscapes of the Welsh coastline that serves as the film's shooting locations. Technical merits are solid, though the release is absent any supplemental material. Neither a slipcover nor a Digital Code are included.

Charles Heath (Tim Key, See How They Run) was a lucky man. After he won the lottery, he and his beloved traveled the world, taking in innumerable sights and experiences - until the money ran out. But, improbably, he won the lottery a second time, though this time, a wiser and more experienced Charles saved his money, and after the death of his wife, Marie, he's carried on a rather hermit-like existence on the remote Wallis Island, where there's no proper port, the only small shop is rather meagerly appointed, and the only way to reach it is via a small dinghy that doesn't look entirely seaworthy. Still, to Charles, it's the perfect home. After secretly inviting both halves of his favorite, long-disbanded folk duo, McGwyer Mortimer (played by Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan, respectively), to play a private gig for him in the island's shore, everyone involved is in for some rough seas.

The past is always with us, for what are we if not the sum total of our experiences? The Ballad of Wallis Island slowly, carefully, explores that point rather poignantly as it delves deeper and deeper into the lives of Charles Heath and Herb McGwyer. Charles seemingly had it all. After a career as a male nurse he won the lottery, enabling he and his wife to travel and see the world. For many, it's a dream come true. But after the untimely death of his wife, even winning the lottery a second time isn't enough to generate the happiness he had when Marie was alive. Despite the winnings, the remote, grey home Charles lives in is something a fixer upper. He's trapped in the past. He obsesses over the folk duo McGwyer Mortimer, the former couple's favorite band which is now defunct. His home is filled with albums, CDs, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera documenting their time as fans of the band. He plays the duo's music incessantly. And though he never states it directly, it's clear that the songs help him maintain a connection with Marie and transport him back to a time when she was alive and everything was as it should be. A time when he was happy. It's here that he's trapped. His life is stuck on pause due to the most tragic event of his life. While he obviously enjoyed traveling and was social (at least to some degree, he did date and get married after all), he is isolated and immobile; the victim of a self-imposed exile.

Herb's past impacts him profoundly as well, though in a different manner. While Charles is keen to live in his, Herb purposefully rejects his past. He instead selfishly focuses on the present and the future, behaving every bit the spoiled rock star. He's quickly irritated by the quirky Charles and his rather mean accommodations on the island, and is frustrated when others don't know who he is. Though he was vaulted to a level of fame and success because of folk music, the post McGwyer Mortimer Herb is eager to distance himself from that part of his life, shamelessly jumping on the latest musical trends, crafting an image and recording songs that bear little resemblance to the tracks that put him on the map. Since the break-up of the band, the past is too painful, something to be avoided at all costs. That's a fact that he makes rather explicitly known as he refuses the possibility of playing certain songs despite the hefty fee Charles paid him for one gig.

That's the nut that The Ballad of Wallis Island tries to crack; helping these two men, both isolated in their own way, come to terms with their past and begin to move on in a healthy manner. The odd but endearing Charles needs to learn to learn how to interact with people again. At first, he's almost painful to watch. He chatters incessantly, fails to pick up on nonverbal cues, and is so focused on who Herb and Nell were that it's difficult for him to comprehend who they are now, that they have changed, and life has moved on for both of them. There are old wounds to consider along with new hopes, new loves (in Nell's case), and identities. Charles visibly struggles with this at first, not understanding that getting the band back together isn't as simple as getting Herb and Nell in the same room with a couple of instruments. As Charles slowly comes to terms with this notion, in a process fraught with more than a few missteps and no small amount of awkwardness, Herb is gradually asked to confront the idea that he shouldn't run from who he was as it's an integral part of who he is.

While I am somewhat averse to labeling a film as "heartwarming", that's a more accurate word than many to sum up The Ballad of Wallis Island. Tim Key's Charles is disarming in his way, though I suspect many viewers will react in a manner similar to Herb upon first meeting him; wondering who the strange man is and being more than a little concerned about what they've gotten into. But the more time we spend with him, the more he ingratiates himself to the audience, until he takes hold with the efficacy of a carefully crafted earworm, each unusual action or turn of phrase simply making him more likable. Carey Mulligan offers an incredibly grounded and engaging performance, conjuring a "the stars are just like us" ethos. Her days of fame and performing in front of legions of adoring fans may be behind her, but she doesn't seem to miss them. She's understanding and accepting of the circumstances of her post-band life. Comfortable in her own skin. Through every unusual moment, she displays kindness, warmth, and emotional depth. The fact that Tom Basden's Herb is as convincingly prickly and occasionally hostile as he is only serves to allow for the kind of reaction the culmination of his arc generates. The folky and moody score manipulates the audience, expertly enhancing the emotional core of each scene. It's a small picture, shot over the course of just a couple of weeks, but it's one I suspect that will linger with its viewers. Just make sure to stick around for the final song that plays out over the end credits.

The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

In keeping with the often melancholy tone of the film, the film's palette is rather drab. Under the frequently grey skies and realistically lit interiors of Charles' home, colors appear nicely saturated and quite rich, though dazzling primaries are largely absent. Skin tones are natural and healthy-looking. Depth and dimensionality are strong for both interiors and exteriors alike, but it's the far too brief location shots of the ocean and the coastline that are the most breathtaking. The fine detail level is exceedingly high and is consistent with Universal's other modern releases. Charles' home, cluttered with nostalgic trinkets gathered over his life and and voluminous amount of McGuire Mortimer albums, CDs, magazines, and clippings, yields evidence of handling and wear. Clothing, too, presents with tactile realism, especially the chunky knit of Charles's sweater and the lacey accents of Nell's blouse. Facial particulars are well-rendered, with every fine line, wrinkle, and bit of stubble being discernible and observable. Warmly and somewhat underlit interiors look naturally cozy and realistic; however, they allow character and environmental elements to be absorbed by shadows and darkness. That said, the visual image on display here is never less than warm and cozy, with an aesthetic that fits the film well.

The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Just as the music of McGwire Mortimer creates a very relaxed vibe, so too does the film's Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio track remain relatively restrained for much of the time. Surrounds are occasionally employed to engulf the viewer in coastal sounds - waves breaking on the shore, objects splashing in the water, chatter from birds, and the like. Dialogue is clear and clean and free from defect, with the only impediment to understanding what the actors are saying being their accents and Charles's manner of speaking, which at times seems to mimic a sort of Cockney rhyming slang. Directionality is accurate. The most magical moments the track has to offer, rather appropriately, come in the form of the performances from McGwyer Mortimer, either in tandem or solo. Atmospheric music impresses as well. The surrounds are best leveraged here in these musical moments, with the listener placed squarely in the middle. Instrumentation is precise, vocals are crisp and delicate, showcasing the duo's signature harmonies. Prevalent finger noise also lends to the authenticity of the low-fi performances. It's not an overly ambitious track, but it's up to the task it's asked to perform.

The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Unfortunately, The Ballad of Wallis Island is devoid of any on-disc supplemental material.

The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The island itself may be remote and, to some degree, considered inhospitable due to the absence of creature comforts preferred by many. But The Ballad of Wallis Island is a film that viewers will want to revisit once they've been there. The small cast of characters quickly feels like old favorites, with their quirks and flaws generating nothing but affection, and the actors are universally excellent. While I, for one, would have appreciated more time to enjoy the windswept coastal locales that the film calls home, it rightfully keeps its focus on the action at hand - dealing with the past. The leisurely pace fits the film, giving characters and the plot the required time to breathe, allowing events to flow from one to another in a way that feels natural and organic. The Ballad of Wallis Island comes Strongly recommended.