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.
This film is part of Free
Sodom and Begorrah
Amusing fantasy of the adventures of a priest who finds his new parish in the grip of the most blatant depravity
In partnership with:
Overview
Follow the trials of a priest shocked by the depravity of his new parish. How will he resist temptation in a town where sex, sin and violence are the order of the day? Who will offer spiritual comfort in his hour of need, and who will triumph in this epic battle for the souls of Ballybegorrah? To find out watch this hilarious story set in a country which exists only in the minds of those who have never been to Ireland.
This brilliant example of the playful insights of Archie Reid, Rex Thompson and Rowel Friers invites us to laugh at ourselves. Reid was a History teacher and prolific film maker. You can find more of his gems on the Britain on Film map ranging from the delightfully absurd to intimate rural portraits. Friers who appears here as angel, priest and devil was a political cartoonist, performer and painter. He strove to reflect political absurdities of Northern Ireland with impartiality, saying ‘I have no side in all of this. I just make fun of all the madness.’ A graduate of the Belfast College of Art he contributed to the arts throughout his life as President of both the RUA and Ulster Association of Drama Festivals.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Amateur film 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll Midsummer Madness - An Idiotic Idyll
Amateur film 1933 2 mins Silent
Four bright young things enact a midsummer's love tryst among the daisies in this short, well-crafted amateur fiction film.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Dust on the Bible Dust on the Bible
Documentary 1989 52 mins Location: Belfast
Encounter Belfast's very own manic street preachers in this powerful documentary.
Watch for free
Seventh Angel Seventh Angel
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Location: Belfast
It was a day like any other for Percy Faith until he hears a voice he’ll never forget.
Watch for free
Blossom and Birds Blossom and Birds
Sport 1958 12 mins Silent Location: County Antrim
Ulster plays to the camera in these delightful scenes by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Watch for free
Holywood May Queen and Maypole dance (1958) Holywood May Queen and Maypole dance (1958)
Travelogue 1958 5 mins Silent Location: Holywood
A flamboyant jester leads the way as crowds of children flock to celebrate Holywood's May Queen
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.