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
The Tryzzian Exiles
Alien outcasts run amok on planet Earth in Roy Spence's sci-fi romp, a film that draws on the lo-fi charm of Ed Wood and Roger Corman.
From the collection of:
Overview
The story of three criminals exiled from their home planet for their heinous crimes, who end up causing havoc on earth. The plot of the Tryzzian Exiles would be echoed years later in Superman II. Shot on a somewhat more modest budget, this Roy Spence offering made great use of local landmarks, such as Carrickmannon Lake and Scrabo quarry.
Twin brothers Roy and Noel Spence have been making films like this for over fifty years; with subjects including crafty leprechauns, creatures from outer space, fifties rock 'n' rollers and the undead. You can enjoy many of these fantastical creations on BFI player. This film is courtesy of Roy Spence and is held in the Irish Film Archive.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Drama 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Curragh to Iona Curragh to Iona
Documentary 1963 24 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Join a fearless crew on a spiritual maritime adventure from the shores of Derry to Iona.
Watch for free
The Drumlin The Drumlin
Science Fiction 1980 18 mins Location: Strangford Lough
Who will triumph when a game of hide and seek turns into a campaign against nuclear power?
Watch for free
St Columba St Columba
Documentary 1963 31 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
A family holiday in Northern Ireland begins an exciting quest into the life of a saint.
Watch for free
Dedication of Colours by the Lord Bishop of down and Dromore , June 22nd 1952 Dedication of Colours by the Lord Bishop of down and Dromore , June 22nd 1952
Promotional 1952 10 mins Silent Location: Newtownards
The Princess Royal inspects members of the Red Cross in a large dedication ceremony held in Newtownards
Watch for free
The Coming of the Black Dawn The Coming of the Black Dawn
Horror 1965 25 mins Location: Newtownards
Something sinister this way comes in one of The Spence Brothers earliest films.
Watch for free
The National Trust in Ulster The National Trust in Ulster
Sponsored film 1957 19 mins Location: Giant's Causeway
A quirky tour of Trust properties, from international landmarks such as the Giant's Causeway, to lesser known gems like Springhill House.
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.