Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free
Video Player is loading.
Children's Games
Delight in the mischievous imagination of Archie Reid with this trilogy of battles performed by and for his pupils in Larne.
From the collection of:
Overview
This film by teacher Archie Reid and the Greenland Secondary Intermediate School camera club tells three tales of conflict. It opens with a playful battle of schoolyard pranks, then Larne is transformed into Nottingham for the swashbuckling costume drama Robin Hood and The Queen. The final instalment brings us back to the playground for The Children's Game, a Cold War fable in which two rival gangs embroil the schoolyard in an escalating arms race.
Archie Reid was a History teacher and prolific film maker, you can find several of his gems on the Britain on Film map. This material is courtesy of Elizabeth Reid.
Related
Watch for free
Alice in Wonderland Alice in Wonderland
Fantasy 1903 10 mins Silent
The first-ever film version of Lewis Carroll's tale, made just 37 years after the novel’s publication and eight years after the birth of cinema.
Watch for free
A Year and a Day A Year and a Day
Amateur film 1954 14 mins Silent Location: Headingley
The metamorphosis of the eating machine which is the caterpillar, into an Emperor Moth, revealed in all its detail and presented in 15 minutes.
Watch for free
A Colour Box A Colour Box
Advert 1935 4 mins
Part experimental cinema, part advert for the parcel post service, always joyful.
Watch for free
That Noise That Noise
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1961 2 mins
Fall truly, madly, deeply in love with this animated proto-music video from Godfrey, Lacey and Newly
Watch for free
The Clown and His Donkey The Clown and His Donkey
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1910 3 mins Silent
A pioneering effort in bringing shadow puppetry to the cinema
Watch for free
X Rays X Rays
Comedy 1897 1 mins Silent
I've got you under my skin... early 'trick' film having fun with the new science of x-ray photography
Watch for free
Experiments in film by Brian Connolly Experiments in film by Brian Connolly
Amateur film 1984 13 mins Silent Location: Belfast
Watch time becomes an artist's material as the city's landmarks star in a strange choreography of workers, shoppers and builders.
Watch for free
The Boat Train The Boat Train
Amateur film 1963 8 mins Location: Belfast
A picturesque journey on the boat train from Belfast to Larne to catch the Caledonian Princess by beloved Ballyclare filmmaker Archie Reid.
Watch for free
Summer Holiday Summer Holiday
Home movie 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Carrickfergus
Join the Carrey family as they entertain each other during a summer adventure around the north of Ireland.
Watch for free
Highways of Ulster Highways of Ulster
Sponsored film 1950 22 mins Location: Port of Belfast
Hop on board and explore Ulster. The is plenty to to feast your eyes on both sides of the border but "nothing too strenuous", on this entertaining coach tour.
Watch for free
Belfast Boxers Belfast Boxers
Documentary 1993 31 mins Location: Belfast
The incredible highs and crushing lows of the Belfast's boxing community
Watch for free
County Antrim County Antrim
Amateur film 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Larne
Enjoy the early signs of spring from the lambs gambolling in the fields to the rally cars tearing round the Circuit of Ireland.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.