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
Farmer John
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’.
From the collection of:
Overview
Breeches and wellies do not a farmer make, as an urban draughtsman yearning for the good life discovers, eventually. This is the second in a short series of comic dramas shot by John W Meredith and enacted by fellow workers from the Thompson Brothers’ Bradley Engineering Works in Bilston, Staffordshire, when on their annual camping trip to Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy. Richard Ellis Jones, of Penygeulan, and his family also take part in this town-meets-country drama.
Jack Whale, as here, plays the main character in all the Meredith films held by the Archive: ‘Early Film-making at Welsh Camp’ (1929), ‘Jack Reforms’ (1931) and ‘We Regret’ (1932). In 1935, Meredith filmed a drama directed by the local Reverend H E Hughes which, as entitled, retold the legend of ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy/The Bandits of Mawddwy’ and involved the whole community.
Related
Watch for free
Ardboe Wishing Tree Ardboe Wishing Tree
News 1965 4 mins Location: Ardboe
Graveyards tell strange stories and this one is no exception. From magic cows to wishing trees discover what lies in the Ardboe graveyard.
Watch for free
The Sash My Father Wore The Sash My Father Wore
Amateur film 1971 6 mins Location: Lisburn
Is mythology stronger than history? Listen to children’s takes on why they commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.
Watch for free
Sodom and Begorrah Sodom and Begorrah
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Holywood
Amusing fantasy of the adventures of a priest who finds his new parish in the grip of the most blatant depravity
Watch for free
At Mountstewart At Mountstewart
Non-Fiction 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Newtownards
A grand day out at Mount Stewart, where crowds of children jostle for the camera and form a very orderly queue.
Watch for free
By Tradition By Tradition
Documentary 1966 14 mins Silent Location: Cultra
See the tools in action that helped our farmers win back the soil from the weed and wilderness over generations.
Watch for free
County Antrim County Antrim
Amateur film 1971 3 mins Silent Location: Larne
Enjoy the early signs of spring from the lambs gambolling in the fields to the rally cars tearing round the Circuit of Ireland.
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
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
Jack Reforms Jack Reforms
Amateur film 1931 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack likes the ladies, the beer and the odd flutter but steadfast Ted, who acts as his guardian angel, helps him reach salvation.
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
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
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.