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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/bf4fd2dede5a09205011f3283f31a51d_0.jpg?itok=eCgxzUT5)
Land of the Red Dragon
Wales: seeped in history (castles) and clothed in modernity (sports and eating out). Why go elsewhere?
From the collection of:
![Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NSSAW.jpg?itok=d_ytl5tN)
Overview
Promotional film, narrated by actor Donald Houston, about Wales, where the hard-fought battles of the past have deposited tourist-attracting remains for the present (e.g. castles) and where opportunities for modern-day leisure pursuits are provided by the geography of the country. Visitors are assured that English is spoken but they can enjoy hearing “the ancient tongue”, and any doubts about temperance are fielded visually with full wine glasses and beer drinking.
This film was written and directed by Sarah Erulkar, from Calcutta, for the British Travel Association (in co-operation with The Wales Tourist and Holidays Association). She was committed to making documentaries only, amongst them the following which both won BAFTAs: ‘Picture to Post’ (1969), about the design of British postage stamps, and ‘The Living City’ (1977) about her birthplace and on which she shared the direction with her husband, film-maker Peter de Normanville.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_211247_01of01.jpg?itok=ft47LGq_)
Welsh Hike 1938 Welsh Hike 1938
Home movie 1938 7 mins Silent Location: Tenby/Dinbych-y-pysgod
Summit-seekers attempt Snowdon and, blessed with good weather, cool off in river, lake or sea.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/c3e40aa97c74086833dc14aedc898151_0.jpg?itok=Bo8Acmhm)
Along the Cambrian Coast Along the Cambrian Coast
Travelogue 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Barmouth/Abermaw
Stencil coloured coastline of Wales
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/ece71df941390d11c13ea0fb19f903cf_0.jpg?itok=Bt3kDmTx)
Healey Holiday in Nefyn - September 1929 Healey Holiday in Nefyn - September 1929
Home movie 1929 11 mins Silent Location: Nefyn
The Healeys from Lancashire have an unforgettable holiday in Wales, with beach hockey, pony riding and a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/c5e88dc8a15e71fdf3117602efc42e30_0.jpg?itok=zMzusaVT)
Welsh Story Welsh Story
Travelogue 1941 14 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Romance blossoms amongst the donkeys on the beach at Llandudno and the glories of north Wales are explored, from piers, lakes, hills of sheep.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/44d7745b14ed96de49f6e5c978ed2ba9.jpg?itok=tUC0LfzB)
Welsh Magic Welsh Magic
Travelogue 1946 8 mins Silent Location: Shrewsbury
Pin-sharp post-war views of the welshest parts of Wales, from slate and coal mines to the fine cities like Aberystwyth.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/85c4e564b61ad3aa5e1ce78b6fd81b7a.jpg?itok=9gWyTkn6)
Mr Bealing's Wales II - slate quarrying, Llanberis Mr Bealing's Wales II - slate quarrying, Llanberis
Home movie 1950 14 mins Silent Location: Llanberis
The road from Southampton to Snowdonia was well trodden by Frank and Nancy Bealing who enjoyed holidaying amongst the mountains and lakes.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/silverhazeqaextended_0.jpg?itok=T-FOBodE)
Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 29 mins
Vicky Knight sits down with Rowan Woods for an extended discussion on the making of the film Silver Haze. *Contains Spoilers*
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/cymande.jpg?itok=Jqu3O2zo)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/west-case1.jpg?itok=A5Q_9vtZ)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/scala5.jpg?itok=qfLzK5jz)
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.