This film is part of Free
Guinness - Shipwright Version 1
Stout Geordie shipwright Martin Welsh opts for stout after work in this regional TV spot.
Overview
A northern accent on television? Outrageous! Don’t worry, this commercial was focussed on a specific broadcast region, and in Version 2 the exact same visuals were used to introduce the same actor as Ian Scott, with a voiceover in perfect Received Pronunciation. Guinness frequently used multiple versions of the same advert to hone in on their target audience.
The advert plays with the unspoken slogan of the brand’s past - “Guinness gives you strength” - without explicitly saying it for regulation reasons. Of course, follow the ad’s not so implicit logic through and surely both Martin and his identical twin Ian should be downing pints of the black stuff on the way to work?
Related
What We Want Is Watney's What We Want Is Watney's
Advert 1959 1 mins
A young Michael Caine bursts on to the scene as a cheeky soldier in this delightful advert for Watney's beer.
Guinness - Plinths Guinness - Plinths
Advert 1976 1 mins
Pete and Dud prove to be stout football fans in this Guinness commercial recalling a great sporting moment - however fleeting.
PG Tips: Hairdressers PG Tips: Hairdressers
Advert 1978 1 mins
An example of the long-running Brooke Bond PG Tips advertising campaign, with talking chimpanzees dressed as humans.
Guinness - Raf Flying Toucans Guinness - Raf Flying Toucans
Advert 1955 1 mins
An RAF squadron are alerted to an attack. Flying toucans raid the officers mess and fly off with glasses of Guinness.
Fun on the Farm Fun on the Farm
Advert 1935 5 mins Silent
What seems a charming stop-motion rhapsody for Bourn-vita chocolate reveals some unpleasant racial insensitivity.
The Spirit of His Forefathers The Spirit of His Forefathers
Advert 1900 1 mins Silent
One of the earliest surviving British adverts
Here Comes the Bride Here Comes the Bride
Amateur film 1948 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
A wonderfully sophisticated take on the wedding film crafted by a Tyneside musician for his brother and a stylish bride.
Launch of the MV Innesmoor Launch of the MV Innesmoor
Amateur film 1954 16 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
Explore the gleaming new interiors of the Tyne-built cargo ship Innesmoor.
Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972 Launch of M.S. Joseph R. Smallwood 11th July 1972
Industry sponsored film 1972 9 mins Silent Location: Hebburn
The Swan Hunter shipyard celebrates the launch of a tanker built to serve the Come By Chance oil refinery in Newfoundland.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.