On Show - RS Thomas: The Man Who Went into the West

When Byron Rogers decided to write the biography of RS Thomas, he knew his subject was a man of contradictions. After all, the 'ogre of Wales' wrote some of the best love poetry of his time. But Rogers's journey to uncover the man behind the stone face was unexpectedly humorous. In this documentary, he recreates that journey, meeting Thomas's friends and parishioners and his only son Gwydion, who talks candidly about his relationship with his father for the first time on television. He also recalls some extraordinary moments such as the time Richard Burton and Liz Taylor requested a meeting with Thomas where, at the rather awkward lunch that followed, the poet quizzed Taylor on her favourite types of flat fish. Contributors also include the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the poet Twm Morys.