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
Capeli
How many chapels feature in this film that demonstrates the great variety of styles employed in their building? Answers on a postcard are welcomed.
From the collection of:
Overview
A history of the chapel in Wales, from its spare and simple origins in tucked-away places (owing to the persecution of non-conformists) through classical incarnations to the foursquare, dominating buildings of its heyday. At the time of filming, however, many of these mighty buildings had fallen on hard, secular times and were being used as e.g. nightclubs, one even becoming a factory for the production of ladies underwear. But some remained true to the original vision.
At the height of chapel-going in Wales, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, places of worship were built that could accommodate as many as 2000 people at one time. They boasted elaborate architecture, plaster ceilings, wooden galleries and magnificent organs. Harley Jones, who directed this film, and who was the first head (1966-82) of the Newport Film Unit at the Newport College of Art and Design, caught these leviathans on film before their complete demise. And he also filmed what is rare footage of a Cymanfa Bwnc [a festival involving a chanting recitation of part of the Bible] at Capel Rhydwilym, Llandysilio.
Related
Research in the Rhondda - a film of a medical survey in South Wales in 1968 Research in the Rhondda - a film of a medical survey in South Wales in 1968
Documentary 1969 32 mins Location: Ferndale
Professor Archie Cochrane explains the research being done in Rhondda Fach on “the curse of the south Wales mining valleys”: dust disease.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.