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
Midsummer Music
A celebration of the welcome, the fun and the colour awaiting visitors at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
From the collection of:
Overview
Even without tickets for the pavilion – where the national dances are performed in competition - it is possible to experience the sights and sounds of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for there is always much going on informally in the streets and on the eisteddfod ground (‘maes’), as this film shows. Terry Fellows, a local boy, acts the part of a lad beguiled by one of the visiting dancers and it is through his eyes that much of the life of the ‘maes’ is conveyed.
Established by the inhabitants of Llangollen and Wrexham in 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is intended to promote understanding and harmony across the globe and it has always included a message of peace and goodwill from the local children. In 1955 Luciano Pavarotti and his father were members of a winning male voice choir from Modena, Italy. This film was scripted and directed by Hazel Swift, who worked mainly in continuity but also directed a number of films e.g. ‘Shirt Factory’ (1963), funded by the BFI Experimental Film Fund. Walter Lassally, a director of photography, was her cameraman on this film. He won an Oscar for his work on ‘Zorba the Greek’ (1964).
Related
Watch for free
Llangollen Historical Pageant Llangollen Historical Pageant
Non-Fiction 1929 1 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
The north-east Wales town performs its history
Watch for free
Vale of Llangollen Vale of Llangollen
Amateur film 1946 4 mins Silent Location: Chester
It's market day in Llangollen: sheep, pigs and calves are brought to the town on foot or by lorry and unloaded and re-loaded. It's all go but there is still time for tea and a smoke.
Watch for free
Caefelin Laundry, Llangollen Caefelin Laundry, Llangollen
Home movie 1937 20 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
Nellie Boote's laundry in Market Street in operation, the women dashing away with all manner of smoothing irons as clothes are sorted, mended, washed, ironed and sorted again.
Watch for free
Llangollen Agricultural Shows Llangollen Agricultural Shows
Home movie 1946 17 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
Caesar Hughes, a clock-maker with shops in Chirk and Llangollen, keeps track of post-war times, recording local events on film e.g. agricultural shows, the River Dee in spate.
Watch for free
Year with Brighouse and Rastrick Band Year with Brighouse and Rastrick Band
Amateur film 1966 8 mins Location: Brighouse
From Grimsby to Manchester via Eisteddfod, our intrepid brass band entertains the crowds around the country, from a bandstand on a lake to major competitions and the BBC.
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.