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 currently unavailable
Coracle Men of the Teifi
Craftsman John Christmas Thomas demonstrates how to make a coracle step-by-step, and Cyril Jones and Will Jones instruct learners how to manage one on the water.
From the collection of:
Overview
John [Jack] Christmas Thomas (1904-1980), master-maker of coracles, spent most of his adult life working on the roads for the council but upon his retirement he and his wife opened a cafe in their home village, Cenarth - 'The Coracle Cafe'. In this film, Jack demonstrates how to build one of these traditional vessels from scratch. Two other coraclemen also feature - Cyril Jones and Will Jones - instructing learners in the art of paddling a coracle on the River Teifi, Cenarth.
Will Jones, a coffin and cabinet maker by trade, was one of the two sons of David Jones, the local blacksmith. He and his brother John [Jack] were the last, licensed coracle fishermen on the Teifi. Will's face became well known after being used on tourist board posters and he was a favourite in advertising films. NB: The soundtrack is of very poor quality (it has been recorded through the projector whilst the film was playing) but J. C. Thomas's wife, Myra, can be heard speaking.
Related
Watch for free
Canoeing on the Teifi at Cenarth Canoeing on the Teifi at Cenarth
Home movie 1972 4 mins Silent Location: Cenarth
Shooting rapids puts paid to one canoe!
Watch for free
Wales, Bournemouth, and Birthday Cake on the Beach Wales, Bournemouth, and Birthday Cake on the Beach
Home movie 1943 11 mins Silent Location: Cenarth
Grandpa, in smart 3-piece suit with pocket watch, celebrates his birthday on the beach, assisted by a lively grand-daughter.
Watch for free
Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society
Home movie 1960 10 mins Silent Location: Cenarth
From the River Teifi and coracles at Cenarth to Fishguard and the sea around Pembrokeshire for jet-skiing, sailing and sandcastles.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.