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
Memoirs of a Pit Orchestra
War and a grinding economy take their toll on the spirit and soul of the Welsh in this haunting, poetic study
Drama-documentary 1981 39 mins
From the collection of:
Overview
With dialogue and scenarios adapted from the work of poets such as Idris Davies and Harri Webb, archive material and roving musicians, Richard Watkins contemplates industrial south Wales, ravaged by capitalism's booms and busts. The Welsh – vital to the success of England's performance on a brightly-lit stage - accompany the main action unseen from the pit, loyal to a king and country that keep forsaking them.
Richard Watkins, the film-maker, was born (1948) and brought up in Swansea, his family having moved from farm to city after WWII. His other films include 'Milford Fishermen' and 'The Artist in Wales', both available on BFI Player. The words of several acclaimed Welsh poets is pivotal to this film, and the kind permission of the following estates, representatives and publishers was granted for the Unlocking Film Heritage project: Gomer Press and the estate of Idris Davies (Idris Davies); Seren Books (John Davies); Meic Stephens (Leslie Norris, Harri Webb).
Director
Genres
Drama-documentary
Released
1981
Country
Wales
Location
Cardiff/CaerdyddCardiff BayNewport/CasnewyddBedwellty
Language
English
Related
The Arts on Film
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
Watch for free
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
1972 10 mins Location: Mayfair
A painterly profile of County Durham's brilliant miner-artist Tom McGuinness.
Shadows from Light: The Photography of Bill Brandt
Watch for free
Shadows from Light: The Photography of Bill Brandt
Documentary 1983 55 mins
Take a mesmerising journey through the world of Bill Brandt's shadowy black and white photography.
Ted
Watch for free
Ted
Documentary 1967 30 mins Location: Chelsea
Potter Ted sells his work in London, to keep the wolf from the door, but practises his art at Felin Wen, his home-cum-studio at Pontrug, Gwynedd.
The Ceramicists
Watch for free
The Ceramicists
News 1972 19 mins Location: Downpatrick
What passions burn behind doors in Downpatrick? Enjoy a tale of two unknown artists who have both found something they can truly call their own.
Tom Sharpe and the Places I Hate
Watch for free
Tom Sharpe and the Places I Hate
News 1983 8 mins Location: Lympstone
The satirical novelist pokes fun at the places he loves to hate.
Hallmark of Harmony
Watch for free
Hallmark of Harmony
Documentary 1986 26 mins Location: Sheffield
The many joys of barbershop singing on display as our Sheffield hopefuls are cajoled into a winning chorus by an inspirational teacher.
Cardiff/Caerdydd
Encil Yr Haul/ The Sun's Retreat: an example of art in the environment
Watch for free
Encil Yr Haul/ The Sun's Retreat: an example of art in the environment
Documentary 1978 19 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A mechanical grave digger is co-opted to help with the creation of a garden at Glan Ely High School, Cardiff.
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Watch for free
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Home movie 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Donald Duck comes home with the Sunday School trippers from Bethel Chapel, Dyserth!
Along the Glamorganshire Canal
Watch for free
Along the Glamorganshire Canal
Amateur film 1945 6 mins Silent Location: Gabalfa
The once thriving but now derelict canal is full of interest for members of Cardiff Amateur Cine Society.
De La Salle School, Cardiff: Sports Day and Dads' Fishing Trip
Watch for free
De La Salle School, Cardiff: Sports Day and Dads' Fishing Trip
Amateur film 1960 6 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
Every race has its difficulties – keeping the egg on the spoon, managing a sack with holes in the bottom, running with a piggy-back rider.
Sea Scout Camp at Dale
Watch for free
Sea Scout Camp at Dale
Home movie 1960 7 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
Ropes are cast off, lock gates opened and they're away! Brother Alfred checks his watch to confirm they've caught the ebb tide.
De La Salle School, Cardiff: prize-giving, flag-bearing and the Archbishop of Cardiff
Watch for free
De La Salle School, Cardiff: prize-giving, flag-bearing and the Archbishop of Cardiff
Home movie 1962 4 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
Cardiff's Archbishop John Aloysius Murphy takes the salute from Sea Scouts, Scouts and Guides, and meets St David's Cathedral choristers.
New
Slug Life
Watch for free
Slug Life
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 7 mins
A curious woman creates her own perfect partner, a beautiful, talking giant slug.
The Penguin Who Couldn't Swim
Watch for free
The Penguin Who Couldn't Swim
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 2 mins
A disabled penguin feels isolated from the rest of her colony.
Uki
Watch for free
Uki
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 2 mins
A short stop-frame animation following a lonely Inuit who struggles to survive after an oil tanker leaks oil off the coast of Alaska, killing all the wildlife in the area.
Meteorlight
Watch for free
Meteorlight
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 10 mins
Sci-fi animation set in an alien world. When a child discovers a dark secret at their father's factory, they must choose between what is right and what is easy.
O, Hunter Heart
Watch for free
O, Hunter Heart
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 2 mins
Nature and domesticity collide in this dark love story featuring stop-motion puppets.
\\_sleeper
Watch for free
\\_sleeper
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2018 7 mins
The story of Frank, a recluse who wakes each day to a strange anomaly.