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
This film is not rated
- Titles in this collection may contain language or other content that reflect views prevalent in their time but that may cause offence today.
The Opening of the Prince of Wales Hospital at Cardiff
Miss Clara Deacon, matron (or 'commandant' as the press refer to her) of this pioneering hospital, accompanies the royal patron on his visit.
Non-Fiction 1918 13 mins Silent Not rated
AD
From the collection of:
Overview
A stark illustration of the mutilation that survivors of the fight for King and Country endured. Opening 'The Prince of Wales' Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff' must have been a sobering experience for the patron prince, watching veterans parade around the specially created "Miniature Wild Wales" in the grounds. The men follow the circular path as if on a macabre treadmill, supported by sticks, crutches and artificial limbs.
Pioneering work in prosthetics was undertaken at this hospital in Cardiff, its aim being to cater also for men suffering industrial accidents, once the demand from the armed forces had lessened. The hospital was a special annexe of the Orthopaedic Centre of the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital, Whitchurch, and there were three affiliated Red Cross hospitals. Tom Williams (a collier who had lost an arm in a pit accident and became an instructor at the hospital) and T J Griffiths demonstrate Williams' own invention, the Williams Arm, and there are shots of different types of artificial leg being demonstrated or tested in the hospital's training or experimental limb workshops.
Original title
Opening of the Prince of Wales Hospital at Cardiff (Wales) Feb. 20th 1918. By H.R.H. Edward Prince of Wales
Genres
Non-Fiction
Certificate
Not rated
Released
1918
Country
Wales
Location
Cardiff/Caerdydd
Language
English
Subjects
Accessibility
Related
Care or Cure?
Watch for free
Plans for Living Plans for Living
Amateur film 1966 22 mins
The Pinner Cine Society looks at the work of Northwood's welfare services.
Watch for free
Rehabilitation at Roffey Park Rehabilitation at Roffey Park
1946 29 mins Location: Roffey Park (College)
The treatment of World War II Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – filmed, astonishingly, in full colour.
Watch for free
Something to Offer Something to Offer
Documentary 1969 22 mins
An interesting documentary on psychiatric provision, set at a Plymouth day hospital and originally produced for nursing recruitment.
Watch for free
His Fighting Chance His Fighting Chance
Government sponsored film 1949 10 mins
Eleanor Roosevelt and Michael Redgrave narrate this optimistic post-war film on the rehabilitation of disabled people with polio.
Watch for free
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Watch for free
Faith Healer Faith Healer
News 1976 6 mins Location: Erdington
Does Danny Gallagher really have healing hands?
Cardiff/Caerdydd
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
J.G. - John Ivor Golding J.G. - John Ivor Golding
Biopic 1973 14 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A glimpse of the life of a chain-smoking, proud-to-be-gay raconteur-of-sorts and resident of Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff.
Watch for free
The Boat Builders The Boat Builders
Documentary 1963 16 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A boat is a work of art, as this film illustrates so beautifully.
Watch for free
Encil Yr Haul/ The Sun's Retreat: an example of art in the environment 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.
Watch for free
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff 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!
Watch for free
Along the Glamorganshire Canal 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.
New
Watch for free
Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda Filmmakers in Focus: Agnès Varda
Inside Film 2021 47 mins
Writer and activist So Mayer joins filmmaker and critic Alexandra Hidalgo to discuss the work of acclaimed French director and artist Agnès Varda.
Watch for free
Quiz Crimes No. 2 Quiz Crimes No. 2
Detective drama 1944 19 mins
You too can solve the case of the stolen boy, courtesy of this film from 1944.
Watch for free
The Three Children The Three Children
Public Information Filler 1946 3 mins Location: Woodford
Sorry kids – your parents might never let you out of the house again after watching this bleak 1940s road safety film
Watch for free
The Ainus of Japan The Ainus of Japan
Interest film 1913 3 mins Silent
This ethnographic film offers a brief overview of the traditional culture of the Ainu, an ethnic minority in Japan.
Watch for free
Japanese Dancers and Japanese Stave Duel Japanese Dancers and Japanese Stave Duel
Documentary 1905 4 mins
The performance of a masked dancer is followed by a scene from a kendo match, contrasting grace and ferocity.
Watch for free
Picturesque Japan Picturesque Japan
Travelogue 1907 9 mins Silent
A grand tour of Japan’s major cities, offering scenic views of the streets and daily life.