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.
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The Ulster Problem
Rev. Ian Paisley, is he a new Martin Luther - a true defender of the Protestant faith - or a strutting turkey cock in the animal farm politics of Ulster?
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Overview
Explore the escalating tensions in Northern Ireland and the central role that Rev. Ian Paisley would play as a lightning rod for Unionism. The film provides a brief synopsis of the history of Ulster - from the Battle of The Boyne in 1690 to the Partition of Ireland in 1922 - and the contemporary background to Paisley’s rise to prominence.
Various politicians and public figures give their opinion on Paisley. Amongst those interviewed is Gerry Fitt, Labour MP for Ulster. He understands Paisley's position and believes that he should be taken very seriously. The Home Affairs Minister of the Ulster Parliament, Brian McConnell, is critical of Paisley’s role in heightening tensions, whilst Martin Wallace – Deputy Editor of the Belfast Telegraph – says he does not take Paisley seriously at all, suggesting that he has no responsible support. This Rediffusion documentary comes from the BFI collection.
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