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
Dinorwic Quarry
Centuries of formidable labour and engineering could not halt the slate industry's decline as evidenced here by the once mighty Dinorwic.
From the collection of:
Overview
On a cold, wet day, Len Vaughan Williams – an electricity board employee and later deputy head of Bangor's Ysgol Cae Top primary school – took his camera to Dinorwic Quarry, anxious to capture some footage for posterity (e.g. blasting, transportation, dressing and splitting) as the writing was on the wall - closure was effected in 1969. A handful of men can be seen at work, their number as nothing to the 3,000 that would have been employed during the quarry's heyday.
After closure in 1969 the quarry buildings became the National Slate Museum (part of the National Museum Wales) and the quarry itself houses a pumped storage power station.
Related
Watch for free
Dinorwic and Penrhyn Slate Quarries Dinorwic and Penrhyn Slate Quarries
Home movie 1960 18 mins Silent Location: Llanberis
Here are the locomotives – the iron horses – that enlivened the workings of the neighbouring quarries e.g. Cackler, Cegin, Ogwen and Winifred.
Watch for free
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.
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.