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
Jack Reforms
Jack likes the ladies, the beer and the odd flutter but steadfast Ted, who acts as his guardian angel, helps him reach salvation.
From the collection of:
Overview
Jack is skipping along the primrose path, grabbing the ladies, swigging the beer, gambling away a very small fortune. Can Ted, his guardian angel, lead him back on to the straight and narrow? This is the 3rd in a series of 4 dramas created by J W Meredith when on vacation with others from the Thompson Brothers’ Bradley Engineering Works at Bilston, Staffordshire. They would set up camp - and camera - every 1st August at Richard Ellis Jones’ farm, Penygeulan, Llanymawddwy.
John W Meredith’s ambition and competence grew with each film he made. Perhaps he discovered the fish eye method of opening and closing a scene just before undertaking this production as he uses it here often! He shoots the rocks and waterfalls (as Ted, Jack, and Jack’s dissolute friend walk in the mountains) beautifully, as he does the courtship scene, and he skillfully weaves into the drama shots of sheep dipping on the farm, the Packhorse bridge and second bridge at Minllyn, and the Red Lion Inn at Dinas Mawddwy.
Related
Watch for free
Caravan Holiday 1937 - and how we made the film 'The Bandits of Mawddwy' Caravan Holiday 1937 - and how we made the film 'The Bandits of Mawddwy'
Amateur film 1937 7 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Engineer John W Meredith works in Bilston, near Wolverhampton, but when he has a chance he exchanges the grime for the green of Llanymawddwy.
Watch for free
We Regret We Regret
Amateur film 1932 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack takes unemployment on the chin and, using his feet, ensures that it does not prevent him from joining his comrades on vacation in Wales.
Watch for free
Farmer John Farmer John
Amateur film 1930 13 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
O, sighs the office-bound man, how wonderful to be a farmer! And, with breeches and boots, he tries the good life as ‘Farmer John’.
Watch for free
Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy
Amateur film 1936 22 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
In the old days it was all murder and mayhem around Llanymawddwy as this renactment of an old legend shows but, never fear, peace now reigns.
Watch for free
Early film making at Welsh camp Early film making at Welsh camp
Amateur film 1929 7 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Men on holiday from work at a Staffordshire firm - and on leave from home – enjoy themselves camping at Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy.
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.