Wales

About the film

An overview of Welsh scenery and industry, Wales shows both the beauty of the country and its contribution to the war effort.

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Details

• Release year - 1942
• Production company - Hanover
• Composer - William Alwyn
• Narration - Hywel Davies
• Sound recording - Al Rhind
• Running time (minutes) - 9 mins 51 secs

Original description

Wales in peace and war

'A picture of Welsh scenery and industry, of Wales's contribution during the late war. Out of the mountains come coal, copper, iron ore and anthracite. There are scenes of the Rhondda Valley, Cardiff and Swansea Docks and the steel furnaces of Llanelly. In the chapels hymns are sung in the ancient Welsh language.'

(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1942-43)

Did you know?

• The peak which we see two young men climbing up is the well-known mountain in Snowdonia.
• The festival of literature and music (attended by former Prime Minister Lloyd George) is the Eisteddfod, an event which runs annually to this day.
• A 1945 article on the film from the journal Wales tells us the names of some of the places featured. There are shots of Snowdonia, the Rhondda, Cardiff and Swansea Docks, steel furnaces at Llanelly, new factories at Treforest'
• Curiously, the music used around the 8 minute mark is repurposed from another British Council film - Queen Cotton.

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