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
Devil's Rock
Will new open-air microphone technology give Richard Hayward the chance to silence his critics? Watch as Cushendun and Bangor steal the show.
From the collection of:
Overview
Enjoy the somewhat haphazard story of Sam Mulhern, played by Richard Hayward, in his attempts to put on a concert as well as save a young girl from drowning. Though the film was initially criticised for its amateurish storytelling and editing it still provides a landmark in Irish cinema as the first film to be made entirely on location in Ulster starring a full Irish cast. Don’t forget to look out for Roger Casement’s brother Tom as he robs the box office of Bangor’s Tonic Cinema.
Richard Hayward was an energetic actor, producer, singer, songwriter, broadcaster, and author. He sought to highlight Northern Ireland as it was, with a focus on local accents, songs and landscape. The Cinematograph Films Act of 1927, provided incentive for low budget local films to be made called 'quota quickies'. This gave Hayward the opportunity to delve into the world of filmmaking. He lived up to his mantra ‘Irish players for Irish parts,’ casting actors that spoke with authentic Ulster accents. The act effectively ended in 1938 and with it Hayward’s feature film aspirations. However through his efforts and love of Ulster, the film industry of Northern Ireland was born.
Related
Watch for free
Five Guineas a Week Five Guineas a Week
Musical 1956 33 mins
1950s song and dance revue set in a colourful world of boarding houses and coffee bars
Watch for free
Shooting Stars Shooting Stars
Comedy 1937 32 mins
Black music hall stars Scott and Whaley perform stereotypical minstrel routines in blackface in this 1937 touring revue.
Watch for free
The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown The Rise and Fall of Nellie Brown
Musical 1964 70 mins Location: Liverpool
An incredibly joyous TV musical about a young woman's search for her long-lost cousin.
Watch for free
Twinkling Fingers Twinkling Fingers
Musical 1940 11 mins
Pianists Charlie Kunz and Mark Hambourg tickle the ivories for our entertainment in this jolly musical short.
Watch for free
Song of Toledo Song of Toledo
Musical 1953 31 mins
This merrily musical short film takes a jovial trip across picturesque 1950s Spain aboard the Talgo Express
Watch for free
Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée) Musical Motorcycles - Cachito cha cha cha (Coursée)
Music video 1961 3 mins
The musical motorcycles hit Paris to a Cuban vibe.
Watch for free
Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales
Advert 1965 5 mins Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Trefro's Milk Bar, Ruthin, has lovable eclairs and the Taj Mahal Indian restaurants in Caernarfon and Bangor offer tables of enchantment!
Watch for free
Babis Newydd Babis Newydd
Home movie 1952 8 mins Silent Location: Bangor
New arrivals: Annes Jones at St David's Hospital, Bangor, in 1952, and her cousin Haf Humphreys at Denbigh Infirmary in 1954.
Watch for free
Eisteddfod Bangor 1971 Eisteddfod Bangor 1971
Home movie 1971 9 mins Silent Location: Bangor
Didn't the Eisteddfod have a lovely time the year it went to Bangor? At this Welsh-language festival poets compete to win the Crown and Chair.
Watch for free
Welsh Story Welsh Story
Travelogue 1941 14 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Romance blossoms amongst the donkeys on the beach at Llandudno and the glories of north Wales are explored, from piers, lakes, hills of sheep.
Watch for free
The Tomb of Frankenstein The Tomb of Frankenstein
Amateur film 1964 26 mins Location: Comber
A strange old hermit uses witchcraft to give life to the Frankenstein monster. Will the creature be his instrument of revenge, or will it turn on its creator?
Watch for free
The Testament of Caleb Meke The Testament of Caleb Meke
Amateur film 1969 25 mins Location: Bangor
A young man is left an old mansion in his uncle’s will. Too late he discovers that he's also inherited a legacy of witchcraft and demonology!
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.