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
Perspectives
Redevelopment hits Pill (Pillgwenlly), an area of Newport. The haunting images and the melancholy, fluting music suggest change rarely happens without some regret.
From the collection of:
Overview
Haunting study of the changing face of Pill (Pillgwenlly), an area of Newport undergoing redevelopment. Delicate, fluting sounds accompany shots of the docks area, disused railways and factories and derelict housing which then give way to the sounds and images of change: demolition. Children still play in a street/playground and people of all ages go about their business in the town centre, but much of Pill has, for the time being, been emptied of life.
Related
Watch for free
StoryTrails: The People's Map Newport StoryTrails: The People's Map Newport
Documentary 2022 12 mins Location: Newport/Casnewydd
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Newport.
Watch for free
Memoirs of a Pit Orchestra Memoirs of a Pit Orchestra
Drama-documentary 1981 39 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
War and a grinding economy take their toll on the spirit and soul of the Welsh in this haunting, poetic study
Watch for free
Welsh Magic Welsh Magic
Travelogue 1946 8 mins Silent Location: Shrewsbury
Pin-sharp post-war views of the welshest parts of Wales, from slate and coal mines to the fine cities like Aberystwyth.
Watch for free
Mansion House, Newport Mansion House, Newport
Home movie 1952 6 mins Silent Location: Newport/Casnewydd
The notables of Newport know how to party! Men of the cloth live carouse with the best of them at the Mayor's summer bash
Watch for free
Ingot Pictorial No. 23 Ingot Pictorial No. 23
Promotional 1955 23 mins Location: Newport/Casnewydd
You can experience the Orb Works Carnival and watch a ship being built in Newport, and you can laugh as Jon Pertwee takes to the catwalk years before he travelled in the Tardis.
Watch for free
A look at Newport A look at Newport
Promotional 1959 12 mins Location: Newport/Casnewydd
Forget the old castle and the remains of Caerleon fort, and never mind the increased traffic: Newport is alive to modern business and offers award-winning new housing.
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.