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
A is for Aberdyfi, B for Barmouth and Bala and C for a Camel
A remarkable sight: a camel on the beach at Barmouth! And work horses pulling felled trees through Dolgellau, and shots of Bala and Aberdyfi.
From the collection of:
Overview
Is this the first and/or last time there was a camel on the beach in Barmouth? Other striking shots seen in this film are those showing work horses pulling fallen trees through Dolgellau, the Fairbourne Steam Railway, the roofless Plas Dinas Mawddwy (built in 1872, destroyed by fire in 1917, demolished in 1960) and the streets and buildings of Bala and Aberdyfi.
The origins of this film are a mystery. It was left to a nephew by Frank Harding, a film buff and writer of articles on film for publications in Britain and America. Frank grew up watching films - his father would be given free tickets for any screenings he displayed advertising posters for in his hairdressing salon in south London. He met a fellow film-lover, Welshman Reg Griffin, in the RAF during WWII and visited Reg’s widow and child in Wales after the war, Reg having died in a flying accident. It may be that Frank was given this film by Reg’s family.
Related
Watch for free
Carnifal Aberdyfi Carnifal Aberdyfi
Non-Fiction 1937 5 mins Silent Location: Aberdyfi
The whole town plus organ grinder and dancing clowns is out on the streets and promenade for the carnival, the cafes all doing a brisk trade.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Watch for free
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Watch for free
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Watch for free
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.