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
Kidwelly Poison Trial: Scenes and Incidents at Carmarthen Assizes
Suspicion falls upon Harold Greenwood after the untimely death of his first wife and his indecent haste in marrying a second, leading to a sensational murder trial in Carmarthen.
From the collection of:
Overview
Solicitor Harold Greenwood of Rumsey House, Kidwelly, rids himself of his wife, probably, and marries again, definitely. In fact, he marries again in such indecent haste that suspicions already afoot locally about the cause of his first wife’s death are inflamed and an exhumation and inquest are instigated. As a result, he is put on trial for his life in Carmarthen and is here seen arriving, wearing a cap, to face the music.
Things were never the same again for the dapper, confident, philandering Harold Greenwood after his trial, during which he accepted an offer of over Ј3,000 from a major newspaper for his life story if aquitted. He had escaped with his life, having employed one of the best barrister’s of the day, but he was unable to continue living in Kidwelly, where it was felt that he was actually guilty, and he was to die in reduced circumstances and poor health some 10 years later, in Herefordshire, where he was known as Mr Pilkington. Only in 1930 was the jury’s verdict published in full: the 12 believed Mabel’s death was affected by arsenic but there was not enough evidence to conclude how and by whom it had been administered.
Related
Watch for free
Eisteddfod Bro Myrddin, Awst 1974 Eisteddfod Bro Myrddin, Awst 1974
Home movie 1974 4 mins Silent Location: Carmarthen/Caerfyrddin
Standing room only when the Gorsedd members process through the eisteddfod crowd in Carmarthen but there are seats for those festival-ed out!
Watch for free
O.G.A. Tennis Party - 30th June 1927 O.G.A. Tennis Party - 30th June 1927
Amateur film 1927 1 mins Silent Location: Carmarthen/Caerfyrddin
Members of the Old Girls' Association of Carmarthen's Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for Girls meet on the school courts with some gentlemen.
Watch for free
Mabolgampau Yr Urdd Abertawe, 1933 Mabolgampau Yr Urdd Abertawe, 1933
Amateur film 1933 11 mins Silent Location: Swansea/Abertawe
The Vetch Field stadium in Swansea is occupied by Urdd Gobaith Cymru – The Welsh League of Hope – for 2 days of mass gymnastics in June 1933.
Watch for free
Carmarthen Railway Activities Carmarthen Railway Activities
Amateur film 1950 1 mins Silent Location: Carmarthen/Caerfyrddin
A young boy, fascinated by town life after being brought up in a mining village, captures on film the comings-and-goings at Carmarthen Railway Station.
Watch for free
Coast Line of South Wales Coast Line of South Wales
Amateur film 1935 38 mins Silent Location: Penarth
George and Maurice Holley, Cardiff pharmacists and pianists, go on a tour, witnessing the crowds at Barry and the seaweed drying near Castlemartin for the making of laver bread.
Watch for free
Society Wedding in Wales Society Wedding in Wales
Non-Fiction 1921 9 mins Silent Location: Llangynog
Nesta Donne Philipps (aged 17) takes the Hon. George William Reginald Victor Coventry (aged 21) to be her lawful wedded husband at St Peter’s Church, Carmarthen on 17/9/1921.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.