[3] On the Black Hill begins in the closing years of the 19th century with the marriage of dour, puritanical Welsh farmer Amos Jones (Bob Peck) to his social superior, vicar’s daughter Mary Latimer (Gemma Jones) after the death of her father (Mark Dignam).

Her inheritance and social connections enable them to rent a vacant farm, 'The Vision', a situation that is a cause for resentment in their relationship.

In fact, locations throughout the Welsh borders were used for the film, notably The Black Mountains, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell.

Props and furniture for the film were borrowed from people and houses in the area and even the local WI was used to knit garments appropriate to the period.

Grieve was brought up in mid Wales and so his understanding of the region and its people was crucial to the film’s atmosphere.