National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Farmer John
O, sighs the office-bound man, how wonderful to be a farmer! And, with breeches and boots, he tries the good life as ‘Farmer John’.
From the collection of:
Overview
Breeches and wellies do not a farmer make, as an urban draughtsman yearning for the good life discovers, eventually. This is the second in a short series of comic dramas shot by John W Meredith and enacted by fellow workers from the Thompson Brothers’ Bradley Engineering Works in Bilston, Staffordshire, when on their annual camping trip to Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy. Richard Ellis Jones, of Penygeulan, and his family also take part in this town-meets-country drama.
Jack Whale, as here, plays the main character in all the Meredith films held by the Archive: ‘Early Film-making at Welsh Camp’ (1929), ‘Jack Reforms’ (1931) and ‘We Regret’ (1932). In 1935, Meredith filmed a drama directed by the local Reverend H E Hughes which, as entitled, retold the legend of ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy/The Bandits of Mawddwy’ and involved the whole community.
Related
Watch for free
Ardboe Wishing Tree Ardboe Wishing Tree
News 1965 4 mins Location: Ardboe
Graveyards tell strange stories and this one is no exception. From magic cows to wishing trees discover what lies in the Ardboe graveyard.
Watch for free
The Sash My Father Wore The Sash My Father Wore
Documentary 1971 6 mins Location: Lisburn
Is mythology stronger than history? Listen to children’s takes on why they commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.
Watch for free
Sodom and Begorrah Sodom and Begorrah
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Holywood
Amusing fantasy of the adventures of a priest who finds his new parish in the grip of the most blatant depravity
Watch for free
At Mountstewart At Mountstewart
Non-Fiction 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Newtownards
A grand day out at Mount Stewart, where crowds of children jostle for the camera and form a very orderly queue.
Watch for free
By Tradition By Tradition
News 1966 14 mins Silent Location: Cultra
See the tools in action that helped our farmers win back the soil from the weed and wilderness over generations.
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
Caravan Holiday 1937 - and how we made the film 'The Bandits of Mawddwy' Caravan Holiday 1937 - and how we made the film 'The Bandits of Mawddwy'
Amateur film 1937 7 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Engineer John W Meredith works in Bilston, near Wolverhampton, but when he has a chance he exchanges the grime for the green of Llanymawddwy.
Watch for free
Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy
Amateur film 1936 22 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
In the old days it was all murder and mayhem around Llanymawddwy as this renactment of an old legend shows but, never fear, peace now reigns.
Watch for free
Jack Reforms Jack Reforms
Amateur film 1931 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack likes the ladies, the beer and the odd flutter but steadfast Ted, who acts as his guardian angel, helps him reach salvation.
Watch for free
We Regret We Regret
Amateur film 1932 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack takes unemployment on the chin and, using his feet, ensures that it does not prevent him from joining his comrades on vacation in Wales.
Watch for free
Early film making at Welsh camp Early film making at Welsh camp
Amateur film 1929 7 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Men on holiday from work at a Staffordshire firm - and on leave from home – enjoy themselves camping at Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.