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
Tank 'Julian' in Merthyr
Julian', a battle-scarred tank, is the toast of Merthyr in June 1918. Spot 3 women without hats in the crowd that greets the monster guest.
From the collection of:
Overview
Whoever thought of sending battle-scarred tanks to towns in Britain during 1917/1918 to sell National War Bonds was inspired. Merthyr alone raised £1m when 2 tanks – 'Julian' and 'Julian Junior' – visited for 3 days in June 1918. Nothing was safer than the tank bank, the public were told, but the borough's Director of Education refused to permit school closures over the period, fearing squashing incidents if children were roaming free. Viewers will appreciate his caution.
Tank visits were preceded by advertising campaigns in the newspapers to engender a spirit of patriotic competition: which town would give most? The welcome ceremony in Merthyr included a mock battle arranged by Glamorgan Volunteers, speeches by VIPs mounted on the tank (e.g. the Mayor, the 2 local MPs) and the presentation of a cheque to local Victoria Cross holder, Sgt J Collins. The Merthyr Express trumpeted a new dawn: "Whatever odium has during recent years been associated with the name of Merthyr will be sandwiched to death between the glorious future", the 'odium' perhaps a reference to industrial action or that bugbear of war propaganda: pacifism, as espoused by Merthyr Tydfil's late MP Kier Hardie.
Related
Watch for free
Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero Nelson; The Story of England's Immortal Naval Hero
Biopic 1918 126 mins Silent
Morale-boosting exploits intended to inspire war-weary citizens.
Watch for free
Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun) Trips and Tribunals (The Blunders of Mr. Butterbun)
Comedy 1918 25 mins Silent
Mr Butterbun presides over a tribunal dealing with cases of men presenting excuses to avoid the First World War draft.
Watch for free
Women's Work in Wartime Women's Work in Wartime
Documentary 1918 8 mins Silent
Who wears the trousers while the men are at war? The women of Britain, who pick up a surprisingly wide range of jobs
Watch for free
Battle Front in Britain Battle Front in Britain
Documentary 1918 24 mins Silent
Growing potatoes in Green Park plus some handy uses for your old tin cans – it’s all part of the war effort on the home front.
Watch for free
Scenes of the First World War Scenes of the First World War
Documentary 1918 5 mins Silent
Dramatic footage of Italian and British troops on the front line and airborne.
Watch for free
Haunted Hotel Haunted Hotel
Fantasy 1918 17 mins Silent
Guests find things that go bump in the night.
Watch for free
Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr
Advert 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Who could deny these advertising claims: "Attractive hair is the ambition of every woman", and "Your family will enjoy Lincoln potatoes"?
Watch for free
Sunshine Girl Sunshine Girl
Advert 1959 12 mins Location: Merthyr Tydfil
What makes a South Wales Sunshine Girl? Well, the answer may vary depending on whether you ask a chauvinist or a feminist!
Watch for free
Owen Humberstone Prosser - Ebbw Vale Owen Humberstone Prosser - Ebbw Vale
Amateur film 1959 16 mins Silent Location: Crumlin
Owen Humberstone Prosser, an expert on railways and canals, captured the Crumlin Viaduct on film in 1959, before its demolition in 1967, a victim of the Beeching rail cuts.
Watch for free
Civic Year 1976-7 Civic Year 1976-7
Amateur film 1976 14 mins Silent Location: Merthyr Tydfil
A visual diary recording the events of a civic year which includes the installation of the mayor, a parade and a visit from Prince Charles.
Watch for free
Mayors of Merthyr Tydfil Mayors of Merthyr Tydfil
Amateur film 1950 15 mins Silent Location: Merthyr Tydfil
A collection of Installation Ceremonies introducing Merthyr Tydfil's various mayors over a period of years.
Watch for free
Presentation of the Freedom of the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil to Arthur Lewis Horner Presentation of the Freedom of the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil to Arthur Lewis Horner
Amateur film 1959 13 mins Silent Location: Merthyr Tydfil
Arthur Lewis Horner is honoured in the most prestigious way by being granted the Freedom of the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
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.