Rage Against the Dying of the Light

Rage Against the Dying of the Light

One of my favorite movies of recent years is Interstellar. If you have seen the movie you will know that Dylan Thomas’s poem Rage is featured in the film as the group goes off into space. It’s a wonderful use of the poem, and actor Michael Caine reads it beautifully.

I recently came across a recording of Dylan Thomas reading the poem himself for the BBC (courtesy of Open Culture).

For an even more interesting mashup, view this video with Anthony Hopkins reading the poem accompanying the Interstellar soundtrack.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas