This is a chronological list of
films
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
produced in
Wales. It is divided between those that are in the
English language,
Welsh language, and no language (
Silent film).
Silent films
1890s
*1898: ''Conway Castle''
*1898: ''
Blackburn Rovers v West Bromwich Albion'', is the world's oldest extant soccer film, by
Arthur Cheetham
Arthur Cheetham (1864 – 15 January 1937) was an English-born Welsh filmmaker, who became the first of his profession to be based in Wales. His legacy is a collection of eight surviving films, including the oldest extant British football 'short' ...
.
1900s
*1907: ''
Wales, England: Land of Castles and Waterfalls''
1910s
*1913: ''
The Foreman's Treachery'', by
Charles Brabin.
*1915: ''
A Welsh Singer'' was adapted from a novel by
Allen Raine and starred
Florence Turner
Florence Turner (January 6, 1885 – August 28, 1946) was an American actress who became known as the "Vitagraph Girl" in early silent films.
Biography
Born in New York City, Turner was pushed into appearing on the stage at age three by he ...
.
*1918: ''
The Life Story of David Lloyd George''
Welsh-language films
1930s
*1935: ''
Y Chwarelwr
Y, or y, is the twenty-fifth and penultimate letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. According to some authorities, it is the sixth (or seventh ...
'' (''The Quarryman''), was the first Welsh language sound film, directed by
Ifan ab Owen Edwards.
1940s
*1949: ''
Yr Etifeddiaeth'' (''The Heritage'') is a documentary by journalist
John Robert Williams.
1980s
*1981: ''
O'r Ddaear Hen'' was directed by Wil Aaron and scripted by
Gwyn Thomas.
*1986: ''
Milwr Bychan'' (''Boy Soldier''), directed by
Karl Francis
Karl Francis (born 1 April 1942) is a Welsh film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, sto ...
.
*1986: ''
Rhosyn a Rhith
''Coming Up Roses'' ( cy, Rhosyn a Rhith) is a 1986 Welsh language comedy film. It was directed by Stephen Bayly and starred Dafydd Hywel, Gillian Elisa and Mari Emlyn. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1986 Cannes ...
'' (''
Coming Up Roses''), directed by
Stephen Bayly
Stephen Bayly (born July 7, 1942) is an American film producer and director. His film ''Coming Up Roses'' was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. Bayly was director of the National Film and Television Sc ...
.
1990s
*1991: ''
Un Nos Ola Leuad
''Un Nos Ola Leuad'' (''One Moonlit Night'') is a novel written by Welsh writer Caradog Prichard. It was first published in 1961. It has been translated into English by Philip Mitchell.
Plot
The novel is an account of childhood, and depicts ...
'', directed by
Endaf Emlyn
Endaf Emlyn (born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh musician, film, and television director.
Early life
Emlyn was born in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was brought up in Pwllheli and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales alongside ...
.
*1992: ''
Hedd Wyn'' was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (known as Best Foreign Language Film prior to 2020) is one of the Academy Awards handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to a ...
in 1992. It won a
BAFTA Award for Best Film in the year of its release. It was directed by
Paul Turner.
*1993: ''
Cwm Hyfryd'' (''
My Pretty Valley''), also directed by
Paul Turner, concerns itself with a critique of
Thatcherism, particularly as it relates to the closing of mines in
Wales.
*1993: ''
Gadael Lenin'' (''Leaving Lenin''), about a group of Welsh students and teachers who take a trip to
Russia, was directed by
Endaf Emlyn
Endaf Emlyn (born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh musician, film, and television director.
Early life
Emlyn was born in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was brought up in Pwllheli and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales alongside ...
.
*1993:''
Tân ar y Comin
Tan or TAN may refer to:
Businesses and organisations
* Black and Tans, a nickname for British special constables during the Irish War of Independence. By extension "Tans" can now also colloquially refer to English or British people in general, ...
'', based on the novel by T. Llew Jones, about a young gypsy who lives an idyllic life with his grandfather. Also released under the English title "A Christmas Reunion" (1994).
*1994: ''
Ymadawiad Arthur'' (''Arthur's Departure''), was directed by
Marc Evans and starred
Llyr Ifans.
*1995: ''
Y Mapiwr'', directed by
Endaf Emlyn
Endaf Emlyn (born 31 July 1944) is a Welsh musician, film, and television director.
Early life
Emlyn was born in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, Wales. He was brought up in Pwllheli and played violin in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales alongside ...
.
*1997: ''
Tylluan Wen
''Tylluan Wen'' is a Welsh language film / television drama produced in Wales in 1997 by Ffilmiau'r Nant and directed by Angharad Jones. It is set in Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, as an adaptation of Angharad Jones' novel ''Y Dylluan Wen'' (''The Wh ...
'' (''A White Owl''), directed by
Alun Ffred Jones
Alun Ffred Jones (born 29 October 1949) is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru and former television producer, writer and director. Jones was the National Assembly for Wales Member for Caernarfon 2003–07 and for the newly created Ar ...
.
*1998: ''
Y Mynydd Grug'' (''The Heather Mountain''), directed by
Angela Barbara Roberts.
*1998: ''
Pum Cynnig i Gymro'' (''
Bride of War'') was directed by
Peter Edwards. It was also released in English, German and Polish.
*1999: ''
Solomon & Gaenor'' starred
Ioan Gruffudd. An English-language version was also filmed at the same time. It was directed by
Paul Morrison.
2000s
*2002: ''
Eldra'', directed by Timothy Lyn, is about a
Romani family living in North Wales.
*2003: ''
Y Mabinogi'', also featuring
Ioan Gruffudd, is a combined live-action and animated version of Welsh collection of tales known as the ''
Mabinogion
The ''Mabinogion'' () are the earliest Welsh prose stories, and belong to the Matter of Britain. The stories were compiled in Middle Welsh in the 12th–13th centuries from earlier oral traditions. There are two main source manuscripts, create ...
'', directed by
Derek W. Hayes.
*2005: ''
Y Lleill
Y, or y, is the twenty-fifth and penultimate letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. According to some authorities, it is the sixth (or seventh ...
'', directed by
Emyr Glyn Williams Emyr is a given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Emyr Humphreys (born 1919), leading Welsh novelist, poet and author
*Emyr Jones Parry, GCMG, FInstP (born 1947), retired British diplomat
*Emyr Lewis (born 1968), former Wales internatio ...
.
*2006: ''
Calon Gaeth
Calon may refer to:
* Château Calon-Ségur Bordeaux wine producer archaically named simply Calon
* Calon Lân, Welsh hymn
Media
* Calon (TV production company) A Welsh animation company formally Siriol Productions Ltd.
* Calon FM, British commu ...
'' (''Small Country''), directed by Ashley Way.
*2008: ''
Cwcw'' written and directed by
Delyth Jones.
2010s
*2010: ''
Patagonia'', directed by
Marc Evans, filmed in Welsh, English and Spanish.
*2013: ''
Y Syrcas'' (The Circus), directed by
Kevin Allen, filmed in Welsh.
*2015: ''
Under Milk Wood,'' directed by
Kevin Allen; another version simultaneously filmed in English.
*2015: ''
Yr Ymadawiad
''The Passing'' (Welsh: ''Yr Ymadawiad'') is a 2015 British drama film directed by Gareth Bryn and written by Ed Talfan. It had its UK premiere on 10 March 2016 at the Wales One World (WOW) Film Festival in Aberystwyth, with a general release ...
'' (The Passing), directed by Gareth Bryn and starring
Mark Lewis Jones.
*2016: ''Y Llyfrgell '' (aka The Library Suicides), directed by
Euros Lyn and written by
Fflur Dafydd; set in
The National Library of Wales
2020s
*2021: ''Gwledd'' (''
The Feast
''The Feast'' (Welsh: ''Gwledd'') is a 2021 Welsh folk horror film directed by Lee Haven Jones and written and produced by Roger Williams. The film stars Annes Elwy, Nia Roberts and Julian Lewis Jones. It premiered at the Official Selection of ...
''), a fantasy horror film set in Wales; directed by
Lee Haven Jones
English-language films set in Wales
1930s
*1932: ''
The Old Dark House'', starring
Boris Karloff, was directed by
James Whale.
*1935: ''
The Phantom Light
''The Phantom Light'' is a 1935 British crime film, a low-budget "quota quickie" directed by Michael Powell and starring Binnie Hale, Gordon Harker, Donald Calthrop, Milton Rosmer and Ian Hunter. The screenplay concerns criminals who try to sca ...
'', directed by
Michael Powell, was filmed at various locations including
South Stack,
Holyhead
Holyhead (,; cy, Caergybi , "Cybi's fort") is the largest town and a community in the county of Isle of Anglesey, Wales, with a population of 13,659 at the 2011 census. Holyhead is on Holy Island, bounded by the Irish Sea to the north, and is ...
, and
Ffestiniog Railway
The Ffestiniog Railway ( cy, Rheilffordd Ffestiniog) is a heritage railway based on narrow-gauge, located in Gwynedd, Wales. It is a major tourist attraction located mainly within the Snowdonia National Park.
The railway is roughly long an ...
.
*1937: ''Today We Live'' is a communist
agitprop documentary by
Ralph Bond concerning unemployed miners in
Pentre,
Rhondda.
*1937: ''
Eastern Valley
Eastern may refer to:
Transportation
* China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai
*Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways
*Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991
* Eastern Air ...
'', by
Donald Alexander.
*1938: ''
The Citadel'', set in a Welsh mining town, was directed by
King Vidor.
1940s
*1940: ''
The Proud Valley'', concerning Welsh coal miners, was directed by
Pen Tennyson.
*1941: ''
How Green Was My Valley'' was a classic directed by
John Ford. It won five
Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. However, the film is often criticised for the actors having Irish accents, as several of them were Irish, and for having a scene with an Irish jig instead of a traditional Welsh dance. Ford's response to these criticisms were simply, "It's a Celtic country, isn't it?"
*1941: ''
The Wolf Man'', featuring
Bela Lugosi, was directed by
George Waggner.
*1944: ''
The Halfway House'', directed by
Basil Dearden
Basil Dearden (born Basil Clive Dear; 1 January 1911 – 23 March 1971) was an English film director.
Early life and career
Dearden was born at 5, Woodfield Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex to Charles James Dear, a steel manufacturer, and his wife, Fl ...
.
*1945: ''
The Corn Is Green'', starring
Bette Davis, was directed by
Irving Rapper.
*1948: ''
The Three Weird Sisters'' was filmed near
Aberdare
Aberdare ( ; cy, Aberdâr) is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. Aberdare has a population of 39,550 (mid-2017 estimate). Aberdare is south-west of Merthyr Tyd ...
, directed by
Daniel Birt
Daniel Birt (23 June 1907 – 15 May 1955) was an English film director and editor.
Career
Birt began his career as an editor in 1932 with an assistant credit on ''The Lucky Number'' and went on to edit 12 films during the 1930s. World War ...
.
*1949: ''
The Last Days of Dolwyn'' was filmed at the
Lake Vyrnwy dam. It was
Richard Burton's first screen role and was directed by
Emlyn Williams.
*1949: ''
A Run for Your Money'', directed by
Charles Frend.
*1949: ''
Blue Scar
''Blue Scar'' is a 1949 British drama film directed by documentary filmmaker Jill Craigie. Set in a Welsh village where the mine has recently been nationalised, it focuses on the relationship between Olwen Williams, a miner's daughter who leave ...
'', by
Jill Craigie, is about the
nationalization
Nationalization (nationalisation in British English) is the process of transforming privately-owned assets into public assets by bringing them under the public ownership of a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to pri ...
of the coal industry in Wales.
1950s
*1950: ''
The Undefeated'', by Paul Dickson.
*1950: ''
David'', by Paul Dickson.
*1952:
''Hindle Wakes'' was filmed at
Great Orme,
Llandudno
Llandudno (, ) is a seaside resort, town and community in Conwy County Borough, Wales, located on the Creuddyn peninsula, which protrudes into the Irish Sea. In the 2011 UK census, the community – which includes Gogarth, Penrhyn Bay, Craigsi ...
. Directed by
Arthur Crabtree.
*1952: ''Girdle of Gold'', a comedy set in Wales about Evans the milk and Griffith the hearse searching for a pair of corsets. Directed by
Montgomery Tully.
*1953: ''
Valley of Song'' was filmed at
Dryslwyn
Dryslwyn Castle ( cy, Castell y Drysllwyn) is a native Welsh castle, sited on a rocky hill roughly halfway between Llandeilo and Carmarthen in Wales. It stands on high ground overlooking the Tywi Valley with extensive views. It was built in about ...
and
Llanfynydd,
Carmarthenshire, directed by
Gilbert Gunn
Gilbert Gunn (24 March 1905 – 6 December 1967) was a British screenwriter and film director.
Selected filmography
Screenwriter
* ''Save a Little Sunshine'' (1938)
* '' Me and My Pal'' (1939)
* '' The Door with Seven Locks'' (1940)
Directo ...
.
*1954: ''
The Constant Husband
''The Constant Husband'' is a 1955 British comedy film, directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Rex Harrison, Margaret Leighton, Kay Kendall, Cecil Parker, George Cole and Raymond Huntley. The story was written by Gilliat together with Val ...
'' was filmed in
Newquay and
Aberaeron starring
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play ''French Without Tears'', in what ...
it was directed by
Sidney Gilliat
Sidney Gilliat (15 February 1908 – 31 May 1994) was an English film director, producer and writer.
He was the son of George Gilliat, editor of the ''Evening Standard'' from 1928 to 1933. Sidney was born in the district of Edgeley in Stoc ...
.
*1954: ''
The Happiness of Three Women'' (aka - wishing well ) is directed by
Maurice Levey.
*1955:
''The Blue Peter'' was filmed around
Aberdovey
Aberdyfi (), also known as Aberdovey ( ), is a village and community in Gwynedd, Wales, located on the northern side of the estuary of the River Dyfi.
The population of the community was 878 at the 2011 census. The electoral ward had a larger ...
and
Cadair Idris,
Dolgellau
Dolgellau () is a town and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It was the traditional county town of the historic county of Merionethshire ( cy, Meirionnydd, Sir Feirionnydd) un ...
. Directed by
Wolf Rilla.
*1958:
''Law and Disorder'' was filmed in
Newport
Newport most commonly refers to:
*Newport, Wales
*Newport, Rhode Island, US
Newport or New Port may also refer to:
Places Asia
*Newport City, Metro Manila, a Philippine district in Pasay
Europe
Ireland
*Newport, County Mayo, a town on the ...
,
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire ( ; cy, Sir Benfro ) is a Local government in Wales#Principal areas, county in the South West Wales, south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and the rest by sea. The count ...
and
Fishguard Harbour, directed by
Charles Crichton.
*1959: ''
Tiger Bay
Tiger Bay ( cy, Bae Teigr) was the local name for an area of Cardiff which covered Butetown and Cardiff Docks. Following the building of the Cardiff Barrage, which dams the tidal rivers, Ely and Taff, to create a body of water, it is refe ...
'' takes place in
Tiger Bay
Tiger Bay ( cy, Bae Teigr) was the local name for an area of Cardiff which covered Butetown and Cardiff Docks. Following the building of the Cardiff Barrage, which dams the tidal rivers, Ely and Taff, to create a body of water, it is refe ...
,
Cardiff, Wales, and was directed by
J. Lee Thompson.
1960s
*1962: ''
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
'' is a short documentary on the poet featuring the narration of the Welsh actor
Richard Burton. Directed by
Jack Howells
Thomas John Howells (July 1913 – 6 September 1990) was a Welsh film-maker, who is best remembered for his documentary ''Dylan Thomas'', the only Welsh film to have won an Academy Award, for Documentary Short Subject in 1963.
Career
Howells was ...
, it won the 1963 Academy Award for
Best Documentary Short.
*1962: ''
Only Two Can Play'' starred
Peter Sellers as the Welsh character John Lewis, and was directed by
Sidney Gilliat
Sidney Gilliat (15 February 1908 – 31 May 1994) was an English film director, producer and writer.
He was the son of George Gilliat, editor of the ''Evening Standard'' from 1928 to 1933. Sidney was born in the district of Edgeley in Stoc ...
.
*1963:
''Bitter Harvest'' was filmed in
Cardiff and
Senghenydd, directed by
Peter Graham Scott.
*1967: ''
Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon'', directed by
Don Sharp.
1970s
*1972: ''
Under Milk Wood'' was a film version of
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
's "play for voices", starring
Pontrhydyfen-born actor
Richard Burton, then-wife
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a British-American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. ...
and
Peter O'Toole
Peter Seamus O'Toole (; 2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013) was a British stage and film actor. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began working in the theatre, gaining recognition as a Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old Vic ...
. It was directed by
Andrew Sinclair.
*1973: ''
Holiday on the Buses'' was filmed at
Prestatyn in the
Pontins holiday camp, directed by Bryan Izzard.
*1973: ''
Hang Up Your Brightest Colours
''Hang Up Your Brightest Colours'' is a 1973 film by Welsh actor and filmmaker Kenneth Griffith, about the life and death of Irish Republican leader Michael Collins. It was directed by Antony Thomas.
Although usually classed as a documentary, ...
'' is a once-banned documentary by
Kenneth Griffith on Irish Republican
Michael Collins.
*1976: ''
At the Earth's Core'', directed by
Kevin Conner, takes place in the Welsh mountains.
*1976: ''
Above Us the Earth'', by
Karl Francis
Karl Francis (born 1 April 1942) is a Welsh film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, sto ...
.
*1976: ''Whispers of Fear'' A woman inherits an old house in Wales, but is driven to madness and murder by jealous locals. Directed by
Harry Bromley Davenport.
*1977: ''
Curious Journey'', a documentary by
Kenneth Griffith.
*1978: ''
Dylan'' is about
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
's final visit to America, concluding with his death in New York on 9 November 1953, and directed by
Richard Lewis.
*1978: ''
Grand Slam'' is a
BBC Wales
BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcaster in Wales.
It is one of the four BBC national regions, alongside the BBC English Regions, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Scotland. Established in 1964, BBC Cymru Wales is ...
film about Welsh rugby fans travelling to Paris for the
Grand Slam of Wales vs. France.
*1979: ''
Black As Hell, Thick As Grass'' is a documentary by Kenneth Griffith.
*1979: ''
The Corn Is Green'' was written by
Ivan Davis
Ivan Roy Davis, Jr. (February 4, 1932 – March 12, 2018) was an American classical pianist and longstanding member of the faculty at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.
Early life
Davis was born in Electra, Texas. He received his ...
, based on a play by
Emlyn Williams. It starred
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited perso ...
,
Bill Fraser,
Patricia Hayes,
Artro Morris, Dorothea Phillips and
Toyah Willcox.
1980s
*1980: ''The Mouse and the Woman'' was filmed at Lampeter House, directed by
Karl Francis
Karl Francis (born 1 April 1942) is a Welsh film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, sto ...
.
*1982: ''
Giro City'', by Karl Francis.
*1982:
''Who Dares Wins'' outdoor training scenes were filmed in
Snowdonia, starring
Lewis Collins and directed by
Ian Sharp.
*1983: ''
House of the Long Shadows'' was directed by
Pete Walker. It comments on the nationalism of the Welsh, especially the older generation, who hate the English; the American jokes that he should wear a
leek
The leek is a vegetable, a cultivar of ''Allium ampeloprasum'', the broadleaf wild leek ( syn. ''Allium porrum''). The edible part of the plant is a bundle of leaf sheaths that is sometimes erroneously called a stem or stalk. The genus ''Alli ...
to show he's a friend. Vincent Price, who has a Welsh surname, plays a character who describes Wales as his ancestral homeland. His character's family appears to be English, however.
*1985: ''
Ms Rhymney Valley'', by Karl Francis
*1987: ''
Girls' Night Out'' is an
S4C
S4C (, ''Sianel Pedwar Cymru'', meaning ''Channel Four Wales'') is a Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel. Launched on 1 November 1982, it was the first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking ...
film by
Joanna Quinn.
*1987: ''
A Child's Christmas in Wales'' is a TV-movie based on Dylan Thomas's work of the same name, starring
Denholm Elliott and directed by
Don McBrearty.
*1987: ''
On the Black Hill'' is about Welsh identical twins, and was directed by
Andrew Grieve.
1990s
*1990: ''
Dylan Thomas: Return Journey'' is a one-man show featuring
Bob Kingdom as Thomas and directed by
Anthony Hopkins.
*1992: ''
Elenya'', concerning a woman of Italian descent living in Wales, was directed by
Steve Gough.
*1992: ''
Under Milk Wood'' is an animated adaptation of the
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
play.
*1992: ''
Rebecca's Daughters''; filmed at
Hensol Castle
Hensol Castle (previously Hensol House) is a castellated mansion in the gothic architecture style dating from the late 17th century or early 18th century, now a wedding and conference venue for The Vale Resort. It is located north of Clawdd Coch ...
and
St. Donats Castle,
Atlantic College, directed by
Karl Francis
Karl Francis (born 1 April 1942) is a Welsh film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, sto ...
. About the
Rebecca Riots.
*1994: ''
Second Best'', starring
William Hurt,
Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming (born 27 January 1965) is a British actor. His London stage appearances include ''Hamlet'', the Maniac in ''Accidental Death of an Anarchist'' (for which he received an Olivier Award), the lead in '' Bent'', The National Theatre o ...
'' and Chris Cleary Miles, was directed by
Chris Menges.
*1994:
''Backbeat'' was filmed at the Point of
Ayr Lighthouse on
Talacre Beach, directed by
Iain Softley.
*1995: ''
The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain'', starring
Hugh Grant, was directed by
Christopher Monger.
*1995: ''
Streetlife'', starring
Rhys Ifans, was directed by
Karl Francis
Karl Francis (born 1 April 1942) is a Welsh film
A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, sto ...
.
*1996: ''
August'', directed by
Margam, Wales-born actor/director
Anthony Hopkins, is an adaptation of
Chekov's ''
Uncle Vanya'', set in
North Wales.
*1996: ''
Darklands'', concerning
Druidic cults, was directed by
Julian Richards.
*1997: ''
Twin Town
A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.
While there are early examples of inter ...
'', starring brothers
Rhys Ifans and
Llyr Ifans, was directed by
Kevin Allen.
*1997: ''
House of America'', starring
Siân Phillips and
Matthew Rhys, was directed by
Marc Evans.
*1997: ''
Prince Valiant'', directed by
Anthony Hickox
Anthony Hickox (born 30th January 1959) is an English film director, producer, actor and screenwriter.
He is best known for his work in the horror genre, with films like '' Waxwork'' and its sequel, '' Waxwork II: Lost in Time'', '' Sundown: T ...
and based on the comic strip series. It was partially filmed in Wales, and is partly set in Wales.
*1997: ''
The Proposition'', directed by
Strathford Hamilton.
*1999: ''
Human Traffic'', directed by
Justin Kerrigan.
*1999: ''
Famous Fred
''Famous Fred'' is a 1996 British animated short film written and directed by Joanna Quinn. It is based on the children's book ''Fred'' by Posy Simmonds.
Plot
Fred, the pet cat of young siblings Sophie and Nick, has recently died. Word gets a ...
'', by
Joanna Quinn.
*1999: ''
Solomon & Gaenor'' starred
Cardiff-born actor
Ioan Gruffudd. A Welsh-language version was also filmed at the same time. It was directed by
Paul Morrison.
*1999: ''
The Funeral of the Last Gypsy King'', a short film directed by
Jane Rogoyska
Jane Rogoyska is British writer and filmmaker of Polish origin, best known for her books '' Gerda Taro: Inventing Robert Capa'',
''Kozlowski'' (2020 Desmond Elliott Prize longlist), and ''Surviving Katyn'' (2022 Mark Lynton History Prize win ...
.
2000s
*2000: ''
The Testimony of Taliesin Jones
''The Testimony of Taliesin Jones'' is a 2000 British drama film directed by Martin Duffy and starring John Paul Macleod and Jonathan Pryce. It is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Rhidian Brook.
Cast
* John Paul Macleod – Taliesin ...
'' (aka ''
Small Miracles''), starred John Paul Macleod and
Jonathan Pryce, and was directed by
Martin Duffy
Martin Bernard Duffy (18 May 1967 – 18 December 2022) was an English musician who originally played keyboards with Felt and most famously with Primal Scream.
Career
Duffy was born in Birmingham and grew up in Rednal in the south of the city ...
.
*2000: ''
House!'', about Bingo rivalries in
South Wales
South Wales ( cy, De Cymru) is a loosely defined region of Wales bordered by England to the east and mid Wales to the north. Generally considered to include the historic counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire, south Wales extends westwards ...
, starred
Kelly Macdonald and was directed by
Julian Kemp
Julian Kemp is a director of television and film.
Early life
Kemp was an early member of the Central Junior Television Workshop, as Julian Aubrey, at thirteen years old. Kemp graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career
Kemp has ...
.
*2001: ''
Very Annie Mary
''Very Annie Mary'' is a 2001 musical-comedy film, written and directed by Sara Sugarman and starring Rachel Griffiths and Jonathan Pryce. It is a coming-of-age tale, set in south Wales, about a woman in her 30s who lives with her verbally abus ...
'', starring
Rachel Griffiths,
Holywell-born
Jonathan Pryce and
Ioan Gruffudd, was directed by
Sara Sugarman.
*2001: ''
Happy Now Happy Now or Happy Now? may refer to:
Film and theatre
* ''Happy Now?'' (play), a play by Lucinda Coxon
* ''Happy Now?'' (film), a British film starring Ioan Gruffudd
Music
* "Happy Now" (Bon Jovi song), 2009
* "Happy Now" (Take That song), 2011
* ...
'', starring
Ioan Gruffudd, was directed by
Philippa Cousins.
*2001: ''
Endgame'' was directed by
Gary Wicks; much of the film takes place at the main character's Welsh cottage.
*2002: ''
On All Floors'' was directed by Geoff Evans and written by Craig Handley.
*2002: ''
Plots with a View
''Plots with a View'', released internationally as ''Undertaking Betty'', is a 2002 British romantic black comedy film written by Frederick Ponzlov, directed by Nick Hurran, starring Brenda Blethyn, Robert Pugh, Alfred Molina, Naomi Watts, Le ...
'' (aka: ''Undertaking Betty''), was directed by
Nick Hurran
Nick Hurran (born 1959) is a British film and television director. His 1998 film '' Girls' Night'' was entered into the 48th Berlin International Film Festival.
Hurran is married to a television producer, Michele Buck, with whom he has two chil ...
and starred
Brenda Blethyn
Brenda Blethyn (''née'' Bottle; 20 February 1946) is an English actress. She is the recipient of several accolades, including a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, and two Academy Award nominations.
Blethyn ...
,
Alfred Molina,
Christopher Walken
Christopher Walken (born Ronald Walken; March 31, 1943) is an American actor. Prolific in film, television and on stage, Walken is the recipient of numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Awar ...
, and
Lee Evans. This brilliant, but commercially unsuccessful, black comedy about competing undertakers in the small fictional Welsh village of Wrottin Powys won the BAFTA Cymru Award in 2003. It is not yet released in the UK.
*2003: ''
Otherworld'', the English-language version of the film ''
Y Mabinogi'', is listed above in the Welsh-language section.
*2003: ''
I'll Be There'' was written and directed by Scottish comedian
Craig Ferguson
Craig Ferguson (born 17 May 1962) is a Scottish-born American comedian, actor, writer, and television host. He is best known for hosting the CBS late-night talk show ''The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson'' (2005–2014), for which he won a ...
and featured Welsh singer
Charlotte Church
Charlotte Maria Church (born Charlotte Maria Reed, 21 February 1986) is a Welsh singer-songwriter, actress, television presenter and political activist from Cardiff.
Church rose to fame in childhood as a classical singer before branching i ...
.
*2004: ''
A Way of Life
Way of life may refer to:
* Lifestyle (sociology), a term to describe the way a person lives
* ''Modus vivendi'', a Latin phrase meaning ''way of life'' or ''way of living''
* The culture of a nation or tribe
Books
*'' A Way of Life: Over Thir ...
'' was filmed in
Swansea
Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Swansea ( cy, links=no, Dinas a Sir Abertawe).
The city is the twenty-fifth largest in ...
and Cardiff, directed by
Amma Asante.
*2005: ''
The Dark'' starred
Sean Bean and
Maria Bello. While taking place in Wales, it reinvisions the
Otherworld (from ''
The Mabinogion'') as being a place of hellish torment. It was directed by
John Fawcett John Fawcett may refer to:
*John Fawcett (theologian) (1739–1817), British theologian, pastor and hymn writer
*John Fawcett (of Bolton) (1789–1867), composer/musician
*John Fawcett (organist) (1825–1857), his son, English organist
*John Fawce ...
.
*2005: ''
Evil Aliens
''Evil Aliens'' is a 2005 British slapstick horror-comedy film directed by Jake West.
It was the first full-length British horror film to be filmed using Sony HD (High Definition) cameras.
Plot
The film begins with the alien abduction on Scalle ...
'' takes place on the Welsh island of Scallad, and was directed by
Jake West
Jake West (born 1972) is a British film director, known mostly for his horror films and for a series of documentaries looking at film censorship and interviewing well-known directors, actors and industry figures.
Biography
West's first feature f ...
.
*2005: ''
Ramble On'', an animated short directed by
Tom Parkinson.
*2006: ''
Dirty Sanchez: The Movie'' is the Welsh equivalent of ''
Jackass: The Movie'', but arguably raunchier. It was directed by
Jim Hickey.
*2006: ''
Little White Lies'', directed by Caradog W. James.
*2006: ''
Love You, Joseff Hughes'', a short directed by
Dan Hartley.
*2006: In the film adaptation of ''
Stormbreaker'',
Alex Rider receives military training in the
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons ( cy, Bannau Brycheiniog, ) are a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of Old Red Sandstone peaks which lie to the south of Brecon. Sometimes referred to as "the central Beacons" t ...
.
*2006: ''
The Haunted Airman
''The Haunted Airman'' is a psychological thriller film first aired on BBC Four on 31 October 2006. Adapted from Dennis Wheatley's 1948 novel '' The Haunting of Toby Jugg'', it was directed by Chris Durlacher and starred Robert Pattinson in t ...
'' starred
Robert Pattinson
Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson (born 13 May 1986) is an English actor. Known for starring in both big-budget and independent films, Pattinson has ranked among the world's highest-paid actors. In 2010, ''Time'' magazine named him one of the 1 ...
as an injured
aviator
An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its Aircraft flight control system, directional flight controls. Some other aircrew, aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are al ...
who convalesces in Wales.
*2007: ''
The Baker'', AKA ''Assassin in Love'' was directed by Gareth Lewis, about a
hitman who retires to a rural Welsh village as a baker.
*2008: ''
The Edge of Love'' starred
Matthew Rhys as Dylan Thomas,
Keira Knightley,
Sienna Miller (as Dylan's wife,
Caitlin Macnamara) and
Cillian Murphy. Directed by
John Maybury, this film is about part of Thomas' life in
Swansea
Swansea (; cy, Abertawe ) is a coastal city and the second-largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Swansea ( cy, links=no, Dinas a Sir Abertawe).
The city is the twenty-fifth largest in ...
during
World War II.
*2009: ''
Good Arrows
''Good Arrows'' is the English band Tunng's third album, released in August 2007 on Full Time Hobby in the UK and Thrill Jockey
Thrill Jockey is an American independent record label established by former Atlantic Records A&R representative Bet ...
'' was filmed in
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil (; cy, Merthyr Tudful ) is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydf ...
, directed by
Helen Grace
Helen Grace (born 20 August 1971, in Hertfordshire) is an English actress. She played the incestuous Georgia Simpson on the Channel 4 soap ''Brookside''.
Biography and Career
Born Helen Victoria Scragg, she grew up as an only child in Northw ...
and
Irvine Welsh.
*2009: ''
Amelia'' starred
Hilary Swank,
Richard Gere and
Ewan McGregor. As Amelia crosses the Atlantic, she arrives in Wales (thinking it's Ireland), and the locals sing the hymn "
Calon Lân".
*2009: ''
Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story'' mentions that Eddie tried to learn a bit of the
Welsh language before playing a gig in
Pwllheli
Pwllheli () is a market town and community of the Llŷn Peninsula ( cy, Penrhyn Llŷn) in Gwynedd, north-western Wales. It had a population of 4,076 in 2011 of whom a large proportion, 81%, are Welsh language, Welsh speaking. Pwllheli is the pl ...
, Wales. He also lived in
Skewen, Wales, as a child. The documentary also mentions that Eddie is the favourite comedian of
Anthony Hopkins.
*2009: ''
Big Font. Large Spacing'' is a feature about two students completing a psychology essay in one night. The film was all shot in
Cathays in Cardiff.
*2009: ''
A Bit of Tom Jones?'' was filmed around
Tredegar; directed by Peter Watkins-Hughes.
2010s
*2010: ''Devil's Bridge'' was filmed in Cardiff and Pembrokeshire; directed by Chris Crow.
*2010: ''
Submarine
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely op ...
'' is set in Swansea; starring Welsh actor
Craig Roberts.
*2010: ''
Risen'' is a biopic of Welsh champion boxer
Howard Winstone.
*2011: ''
Resistance
Resistance may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Comics
* Either of two similarly named but otherwise unrelated comic book series, both published by Wildstorm:
** ''Resistance'' (comics), based on the video game of the same title
** ''T ...
'' is a film based in an alternative reality in which
Nazi Germany invades the
United Kingdom during the
Second World War; based on the novel by
Owen Sheers.
*2013:
''One Chance'' is a British-American biographical film about opera singer and ''
Britain's Got Talent'' winner
Paul Potts
*2014: ''
Set Fire to the Stars
''Set Fire to the Stars'' is a 2014 Welsh semi-biographical drama film directed by Andy Goddard in his directorial debut. Co-written by Goddard and Celyn Jones, the film stars Elijah Wood as poet John M. Brinnin and Jones as Dylan Thomas with s ...
'' is a film about Welsh poet
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
.
*2014: ''
Pride'' was filmed in
Banwen,
Onllwyn and is based on a true story about the gay activists work to help the miners; directed by
Matthew Warchus.
*2015: ''
Just Jim,'' the directorial debut of
Craig Roberts, is set and filmed in the actor's home village of
Maesycwmmer.
*2015:
''Dark Horse'' was based on a true story filmed in
Blackwood
Blackwood may refer to:
Botany
* African blackwood ('' Dalbergia melanoxylon''), a timber tree of Africa
* African blackwood (''Erythrophleum africanum''), ('' Peltophorum africanum'') also Rhodesian blackwood, trees from Africa
* Australian bla ...
and
Chepstow, directed by
Louise Osmond.
*2018: ''Say My Name'' was set on a Welsh island but filmed around Cardiff, directed by
Deborah Frances-White.
*2018: ''Last Summer'', four boys roam free through a neglected rural paradise in Wales, until a tragedy strikes, directed by Jon Jones.
*2019:
''Gwen'' is a folk tale set and filmed in Snowdonia during the industrial revolution. Directed by
William McGregor.
2020s
*2020: ''
You Should Have Left'', directed by
David Koepp and starring
Kevin Bacon and
Amanda Seyfried; filmed in
Llanbister.
*2020:
The Haunting of Margam Castle, directed by Andrew Jones.
Other Welsh-related films
Films with Welsh characters (but not set in Wales)
*1952: ''
Cosh Boy'' is a film in which the main character's mother is Welsh. It was directed by
Lewis Gilbert.
*1956: In ''
The Searchers'', directed by
John Ford, the character Martin Pawly claims that he is 1/8 Cherokee, and the rest is English and Welsh.
*1958: ''
Look Back in Anger'', starred Welsh actor
Richard Burton and featuring the Welsh character, Cliff. It was directed by
Tony Richardson.
*1958: ''
The Vikings'' has
Rhodri Mawr as a character, and his daughter Morgana (played by
Janet Leigh).
*1959: ''
I'm All Right, Jack
''I'm All Right Jack'' is a 1959 British comedy film directed and produced by John and Roy Boulting from a script by Frank Harvey, John Boulting and Alan Hackney based on the 1958 novel ''Private Life'' by Alan Hackney.
The film is a sequel ...
'' starred
Peter Sellers and featured a Welsh worker named Dai. It was directed by
John Boulting.
*1959: ''
Upstairs and Downstairs'' features a Welsh female character, and was directed by
Ralph Thomas.
*1964: ''
Zulu'', starring
Michael Caine, depicts the struggle of a detachment of a Welsh regiment against Zulu warriors. It was directed by
Cy Endfield.
*1968: ''
Candy
Candy, also called sweets (British English) or lollies (Australian English
Australian English (AusE, AusEng, AuE, AuEng, en-AU) is the set of varieties of the English language native to Australia. It is the country's common language an ...
'', features
Richard Burton as a Welsh alcoholic poet, MacPhisto.
*1970: ''
The Molly Maguires
''The Molly Maguires'' is a 1970 American historical drama film directed by Martin Ritt, starring Richard Harris and Sean Connery.''Variety Film Reviews, Variety'' film review; January 21, 1970, page 18. It is based on the 1964 book ''Lament for ...
'', directed by
Martin Ritt and starring
Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery (born Thomas Connery; 25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Origina ...
, tells the story of the Irish labor troubles in the anthracite coal mines of
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Schuylkill County (, ; Pennsylvania Dutch: Schulkill Kaundi) is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is located in the heart of Pennsylvania's Coal Region and is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the popula ...
. Several characters, including the police chief Davies (played by Englishman Frank Finlay), and a miner Jenkins (played by Englishman John Alderson), are Welsh.
*1971: ''
Two English Girls'' (''Les Deux anglaises et le continent'') was directed by
François Truffaut
François Roland Truffaut ( , ; ; 6 February 1932 – 21 October 1984) was a French film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film critic. He is widely regarded as one of the founders of the French New Wave. After a career of more tha ...
. Despite the title, the titular "English girls" are actually both Welsh.
*1971: ''
10 Rillington Place
''10 Rillington Place'' is a 1971 British crime film. The film stars Richard Attenborough, Judy Geeson, John Hurt and Pat Heywood and was directed by Richard Fleischer, produced by Leslie Linder and Martin Ransohoff. It was adapted by Clive Ext ...
'', directed by
Richard Fleischer
Richard O. Fleischer (; December 8, 1916 – March 25, 2006) was an American film director whose career spanned more than four decades, beginning at the height of the Golden Age of Hollywood and lasting through the American New Wave.
Though he ...
, stars
John Hurt
Sir John Vincent Hurt (22 January 1940 – 25 January 2017) was an English actor whose career spanned over five decades. Hurt was regarded as one of Britain's finest actors. Director David Lynch described him as "simply the greatest actor in ...
as a Welshman living in
London.
*1977: In ''
A Bridge Too Far'', one of the final scenes features a minor character nicknamed Taff.
*1978: ''
The Hound of the Baskervilles'' features
Dudley Moore portraying a Welsh Doctor Watson, reusing a version of his Welsh accent from the 1967 film ''
Bedazzled''.
*1979: ''
The Life of Brian'', a film by
Monty Python
Monty Python (also collectively known as the Pythons) were a British comedy troupe who created the sketch comedy television show '' Monty Python's Flying Circus'', which first aired on the BBC in 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four ...
, features a character named Judith (played by
Sue Jones-Davies) who is referred to by Brian's mother as a "Welsh tart." Several other references to Welsh characters can be gleaned from the screenplay.
*1980: ''
The Falls'', directed by Welsh-born filmmaker
Peter Greenaway, references the Welsh-born character Tulse Luper.
*1983: ''
Taking Tiger Mountain'', references a Welsh Minister of Prostitution. It was directed by
Tom Huckabee, based on a novella by
William S. Burroughs.
*1991: ''
Old Scores
''Old Scores'' is a 1991 television film jointly produced by New Zealand and Wales, about the two countries' mutual national sport of rugby union. It is notable for the appearance of many notable Welsh and New Zealand international rugby players ...
'', set in
New Zealand, is about a former Welsh rugby star. It was directed by
Alan Clayton.
*1994: ''
Au Pair'' was directed by
Angelika Weber. The main character and her boyfriend are Welsh.
*1997: ''
The Replacements'',features
Rhys Ifans as a Welsh soccer player who is recruited to play
American football. When called a "Mick" by teammates, he asserts that he is Welsh, not Irish. It was directed by
Howard Deutch.
*1999: ''
Notting Hill'', features
Rhys Ifans as a Welsh character called Spike.
*2000: ''
The Man Who Cried'', about a Jewish girl who leaves the
Soviet Union to be raised in England, utilises a Welsh music teacher to help aid in the girl's assimilation to English culture. As he was not allowed to speak Welsh but succeeded professionally after learning English, so will she succeed if she abandons her native tongue.
*2003 and following: ''
The Tulse Luper Suitcases'' is a multimedia project by Welsh-born filmmaker
Peter Greenaway concerning the Welsh-born character
Tulse Luper Tulse Luper is a fictional character, created by film director Peter Greenaway.
"Born in Newport (Greenaway's own birthplace) in 1911, Luper was, according to Greenaway's introduction to the exhibition catalogue, in Moab, Utah in 1928 when "Uran ...
.
*2004: ''
Heights'', starring
Glenn Close, features Andrew Howard as the Welsh character, Ian. It was directed by
Chris Terrio.
*2004: ''
Patrick Patrick may refer to:
* Patrick (given name), list of people and fictional characters with this name
* Patrick (surname), list of people with this name
People
* Saint Patrick (c. 385–c. 461), Christian saint
*Gilla Pátraic (died 1084), Patrick ...
'', a documentary about the Welsh
St. Patrick
ST, St, or St. may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Stanza, in poetry
* Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band
* Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise
* Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy an ...
who became the patron saint of Ireland, was directed by
Pamela Mason Wagner.
*2011: ''
The Rite'' features
Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas, a Welsh
exorcist, living in
Rome.
*2013: ''
Evil Dead (2013 film)'', directed by
Fede Álvarez; a character speaks in Welsh.
*2017: ''
Finding Your Feet
''Finding Your Feet'' is a 2017 British romantic comedy film directed by Richard Loncraine and written by Nick Moorcroft and Meg Leonard. The film stars Imelda Staunton, Timothy Spall, Celia Imrie, Joanna Lumley and David Hayman, and was release ...
'', directed by
Richard Loncraine. John Sessions plays a Welsh character.
*2020: ''
Dolittle (film)'', directed by Stephen Gaghan;
Robert Downey, Jr.
Robert John Downey Jr. (born April 4, 1965) is an American actor and producer. His career has been characterized by critical and popular success in his youth, followed by a period of substance abuse and legal troubles, before a resurgence of ...
plays the titular Welsh character.
Filmed on location in Wales, but set elsewhere
*1931:
''The Ghost Train'' was filmed at
Barmouth Viaduct
Barmouth Bridge (Welsh: ''Pont Abermaw''), or Barmouth Viaduct is a Grade II* listed single-track wooden railway viaduct across the estuary of the Afon Mawddach near Barmouth, Wales. It is long and carries the Cambrian Line. It is the longest ...
and directed by
Walter Forde.
*1940:
''The Thief of Bagdad'' was filmed at
Freshwater West,
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire ( ; cy, Sir Benfro ) is a Local government in Wales#Principal areas, county in the South West Wales, south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and the rest by sea. The count ...
.
*1941:
''The Ghost Train'' was filmed at
Fairbourne Station
West Valley Central station (also called the West Valley Intermodal Hub) is a light rail station in West Valley City, Utah served by the Green Line of the Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) TRAX light rail system. The Green Line provides service fro ...
and
Barmouth Bridge. Directed by
Walter Forde.
*1943:
''Nine Men'' was filmed in
Margam Burrows,
Kenfig. Directed by
Harry Watt
Harry Watt (18 October 19062 April 1987) was a Scottish documentary and feature film director, who began his career working for John Grierson and Robert Flaherty.
His 1959 film ''The Siege of Pinchgut'' was entered into the 9th Berlin Inter ...
.
*1951: ''
Pandora and the Flying Dutchman'' was filmed on
Pendine Sands. Directed by Albert Lewin.
*1952:
''The Card'' was filmed in
Llandudno
Llandudno (, ) is a seaside resort, town and community in Conwy County Borough, Wales, located on the Creuddyn peninsula, which protrudes into the Irish Sea. In the 2011 UK census, the community – which includes Gogarth, Penrhyn Bay, Craigsi ...
directed by
Ronald Neame.
*1953: ''
The Red Beret'' was filmed around
Trawsfynydd,
Gwynedd
Gwynedd (; ) is a county and preserved county (latter with differing boundaries; includes the Isle of Anglesey) in the north-west of Wales. It shares borders with Powys, Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Anglesey over the Menai Strait, and C ...
, directed by
Terence Young Terence or Terry Young may refer to:
*Terence Young (director) (1915–1994), British film director
* Terence Young (politician) (born 1952), Canadian Conservative Party politician
* Terence Young (writer), Canadian writer
* Terry Young (American p ...
.
*1954:
''Prince Valiant'' was filmed at
Caernarvon Castle, directed by
Henry Hathaway .
*1954:
''The Black Knight'' was filmed at Castle Coch starring
Alan Ladd
Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and film producer. Ladd found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. He was often paired with Veronica Lake ...
. It was directed by
Tay Garnett.
*1956:
''Moby Dick'' was filmed in
Fishguard Harbour, starring
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood ...
and directed by
John Huston
John Marcellus Huston ( ; August 5, 1906 – August 28, 1987) was an American film director, screenwriter, actor and visual artist. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered ...
*1957:
''The Good Companions'' is about a travelling troupe and had its exterior shots filmed in Wales. Directed by
J. Lee Thompson.
*1958: ''
The Inn of the Sixth Happiness'', featuring
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman (29 August 191529 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays.Obituary ''Variety'', 1 September 1982. With a career spanning five decades, she is often ...
,
Curd Jurgens
Curd is obtained by coagulating milk in a sequential process called curdling. It can be a final dairy product or the first stage in cheesemaking. The coagulation can be caused by adding rennet or any edible acidic substance such as lemon j ...
, and
Robert Donat, was filmed on location in Wales in
Gwynedd
Gwynedd (; ) is a county and preserved county (latter with differing boundaries; includes the Isle of Anglesey) in the north-west of Wales. It shares borders with Powys, Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Anglesey over the Menai Strait, and C ...
and
Beddgelert, but is set in China.
*1961: ''
The Green Helmet
''The Green Helmet'' is a 1961 British drama film directed by Michael Forlong starring Bill Travers, Ed Begley and Sid James. The film is centred on a British motor racing team. It is based on a 1957 novel by Australian author Jon Cleary.
Plot o ...
'' was filmed in
Portmeirion, directed by
Michael Forlong.
*1961:
''Fury at Smugglers Bay'' was filmed in
Abereiddi Bay,
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire ( ; cy, Sir Benfro ) is a Local government in Wales#Principal areas, county in the South West Wales, south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire to the east, Ceredigion to the northeast, and the rest by sea. The count ...
, directed by
John Gilling.
*1962:
''Lawrence of Arabia'' was filmed at
Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes
Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes are sand dunes and a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Bridgend, south Wales. The village of Merthyr Mawr is nearby.
The largest dune at the site is known as The Big Dipper and is the second-largest of its kind in E ...
, directed by
David Lean
Sir David Lean (25 March 190816 April 1991) was an English film director, producer, screenwriter and editor. Widely considered one of the most important figures in British cinema, Lean directed the large-scale epics ''The Bridge on the River ...
.
*1962:
''The Inspector'' ''(Lisa)'' had its final scenes filmed at
Three Cliffs Bay, Tower. Directed by Philip Dunne.
*1963:
''From Russia with Love'', the second
James Bond film
James Bond is a fictional character created by British novelist Ian Fleming in 1953. A British secret agent working for MI6 under the codename 007, Bond has been portrayed on film in twenty-seven productions by actors Sean Connery, David Niv ...
, was filmed in Snowdonia starring
Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery (born Thomas Connery; 25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Origina ...
and
Robert Shaw. Directed by
Terence Young.
*1963: ''
Siege of the Saxons'' was filmed at
Castle Coch, directed by
Nathan Juran.
*1966:
''Arabesque'' was filmed at the
Crumlin Viaduct
The Crumlin Viaduct was a railway bridge, railway viaduct located above the village of Crumlin, Caerphilly, Crumlin in South Wales, originally built to carry the Taff Vale Extension of the Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford Railway, Newport, Ab ...
, Caerphilly and was demolished after filming. It starred
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood ...
and
Sophia Loren
Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone (; born 20 September 1934), known professionally as Sophia Loren ( , ), is an Italian actress. She was named by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest female stars of Classical Hollywood ci ...
, directed by
Stanley Donen.
*1967: ''
Poor Cow'' was filmed at
Blaen-y-glyn waterfall in the
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons ( cy, Bannau Brycheiniog, ) are a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of Old Red Sandstone peaks which lie to the south of Brecon. Sometimes referred to as "the central Beacons" t ...
, directed by
Ken Loach.
*1968: ''
The Lion in Winter'', featuring Welsh actors
Anthony Hopkins and
Timothy Dalton in their first feature films, was filmed on location in Wales but is set in France.
*1969: ''
Carry on up the Khyber'' is the sixteenth
''Carry On'' film, released in 1968. It stars ''Carry On'' regulars
Sid James,
Kenneth Williams,
Charles Hawtrey,
Joan Sims,
Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw (25 February 193411 June 1993) was a British actor. He is best known as a member of the ''Carry On'' film franchise. Bresslaw also worked on television and stage, did recordings and wrote a series of poetry.
Biography
Bernard B ...
and
Peter Butterworth. The film is, in part, a spoof of "
Kiplingesque" movies and television series about life in the
British Empire, both contemporary and from earlier, Hollywood, periods. Scenes on the North West Frontier were filmed beneath the summit of
Snowdon
Snowdon () or (), is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. It is located in Snowdonia National Park (') in Gwynedd (historic ...
in
North Wales.
*1969:
''The Most Dangerous Man in the World'' ''(The Chairman)'' starred
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 – June 12, 2003) was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1970s. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Peck the 12th-greatest male star of Classic Hollywood ...
and was filmed in the
Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia which doubled for China. Directed by J. Lee Thompson
*1971:
''Zeppelin'' was filmed at
Carreg Cennen Castle starred
Michael York and was directed by Etienne Perier.
*1971:
''Unman, Wittering and Zigo'' was filmed in Llandudno and
Colwyn Bay, directed by
John Mackenzie.
*1971: ''
Macbeth
''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...
'', directed by
Roman Polanski, was filmed at
Harlech Castle, Snowdonia and
Porthmadog.
*1972: ''
Young Winston'' was filmed at
Craig-y-Nos, and Morlais colliery doubled for South Africa, directed by
Richard Attenborough
Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough, (; 29 August 192324 August 2014) was an English actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. He was the president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the British Academy of Film and Televisio ...
.
*1973:
''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' was filmed at
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle ( cy, Castell Caerdydd) is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top ...
, Caerphilly Castle and Castle Coch, directed by
Stephen Weeks
Stephen Weeks is a British film director, writer, and producer. He started making films when was 16 and made his featured debut aged 22 with ''I, Monster''.
Select filmography
*''I, Monster'' (1972)
*''Gawain and the Green Knight'' (1973)
*''Ghos ...
.
*1975: ''
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' is a 1975 British comedy film satirizing the Arthurian legend, written and performed by the Monty Python comedy group (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin) an ...
'' had opening scenes filmed at
Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly Castle ( cy, Castell Cydweli) is a Norman castle overlooking the River Gwendraeth and the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The origin of this surname traces back to when it was spelled Cygweli which means "swan."
Early histo ...
. Directed by
Terry Jones and
Terry Gilliam.
*1977:
''Jabberwocky'' was filmed at
Chepstow Castle and
Pembroke Castle, directed by Terry Gilliam.
*1979: ''
Yanks'' starring
Richard Gere was filmed in Llandudno and directed by
John Schlesinger.
*1981: ''
Time Bandits'' was filmed at
St Govan's Chapel
St Govan's Chapel is a chapel located at St Govan's Head, Pembrokeshire in south west Wales.
Built into the side of a limestone cliff, the building measures with walls constructed from limestone, and consists of two chambers, one in the front ...
near
Pembroke. It was directed by
Terry Gilliam.
[
*1981: ''Dragonslayer'' was filmed in Snowdonia and Dolwyddelan Castle. Directed by Matthew Robbins.
*1981: '' An American Werewolf in London''s early scenes set in Yorkshire were filmed in the ]Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons ( cy, Bannau Brycheiniog, ) are a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of Old Red Sandstone peaks which lie to the south of Brecon. Sometimes referred to as "the central Beacons" t ...
.
*1983: '' The Keep'' is set in Romania, but was actually shot in Llanberis and Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a town in Gwynedd, Wales. Once a slate mining centre in historic Merionethshire, it now relies much on tourists, drawn for instance to the Ffestiniog Railway and Llechwedd Slate Caverns. It reached a population of 12,00 ...
in Gwynedd
Gwynedd (; ) is a county and preserved county (latter with differing boundaries; includes the Isle of Anglesey) in the north-west of Wales. It shares borders with Powys, Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Anglesey over the Menai Strait, and C ...
, North Wales.
*1984: ''Sword of the Valiant
''Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' (often shortened to ''Sword of the Valiant'') is a 1984 dramatic fantasy film directed by Stephen Weeks and starring Miles O'Keeffe, Trevor Howard, Lila Kedrova, Cyrielle ...
'' was filmed at Castle Coch and Cardiff Castle, directed by Stephen Weeks
Stephen Weeks is a British film director, writer, and producer. He started making films when was 16 and made his featured debut aged 22 with ''I, Monster''.
Select filmography
*''I, Monster'' (1972)
*''Gawain and the Green Knight'' (1973)
*''Ghos ...
.
*1983: Scenes from the film '' Champions'' based on Bob Champion's life were filmed at Chepstow Racecourse and was directed by John Irvin.
*1985: '' The Black Cauldron''. While animated, the filmmakers filmed background footage inside the slate caverns in Snowdonia. Directed by Richard Rich, Ted Berman. Also based on Welsh mythology.
*1987: '' Hearts of Fire'' was filmed at Porthcawl and Southerndown
Southerndown is a village in southern Wales to the southwest of Bridgend, in St Brides Major community, close to Llantwit Major and Ogmore-by-Sea. It is mostly known for its beach which backs Dunraven Bay (Welsh: ''Bae Dwnrhefn''), which is a p ...
starring Bob Dylan and Fiona it was directed by Richard Marquand.
*1987: '' Bloody New Year'' was filmed at Barry Island directed by Norman J. Warren.
*1988: '' Willow'', filmed in Dinorwic Quarry (the Willow TV Series is also filmed in Wales, at Dragon International Film Studios
Dragon Studio Wales, is a complex of film and television studios in Bridgend in Wales, United Kingdom about 5 miles from Bridgend, 14 miles (23 kilometres) from the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
Studio facilities
The complex has five sound stages, ra ...
near Llanharan
Llanharan is a village and community in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. As a community Llanharan takes in the neighbouring settlements of Bryncae, Brynna, Llanilid, Peterston-super-Montem and Ynysmaerdy. Llanharan thrived during ...
, Tenby, Saundersfoot, and Pendine Sands.
*1990: '' Hardware'' was filmed at Port Talbot Steelworks, directed by Richard Stanley.
*1991: '' Robin Hood'' starring Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman was filmed at Betws-y-Coed and directed by John Irvin.
*1991: '' Under Suspicion'' was filmed at Portmeirion starring Liam Neeson; directed by Simon Moore.
*1991: '' A Kiss Before Dying''; opening scenes were filmed at Port Talbot Steelworks; directed by James Dearden.
*1991: '' The Little Engine That Could''
*1992: '' The Princess and the Goblin'' was the first animated featured produced in Wales. It was jointly a Hungarian animated film.
*1994: '' Princess Caraboo'' was filmed at Barry, directed by Michael Austin.
*1995: '' Madagascar Skin'' was filmed in Pembrokeshire, directed by Chris Newby
Christopher Newby (born 1957, Leeds, England) is a British film director and screenwriter.
He studied at Leeds Polytechnic and The Royal College of Art in London. He has made several short films, including ''The Old Man and the Sea'', an evocativ ...
.
*1995: '' Restoration'' was filmed at Caephilly Castle and Tretower Court
Tretower Court () is a medieval fortified manor house in Wales, situated in the village of Tretower, near Crickhowell in modern-day Powys, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.
Local & national importance
T ...
; it won 2 Oscars and was directed by Michael Hoffman
*1995: '' First Knight'' starring Sean Connery
Sir Sean Connery (born Thomas Connery; 25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Origina ...
, Richard Gere and Julia Ormond, was directed by Jerry Zucker. It is the story of King Arthur; filmed in Snowdonia.
*1996: '' Intimate Relations'' was filmed in Abergavenny
Abergavenny (; cy, Y Fenni , archaically ''Abergafenni'' meaning "mouth of the River Gavenny") is a market town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales. Abergavenny is promoted as a ''Gateway to Wales''; it is approximately from the border wi ...
and directed by Phillip Goodhew.
*1997: ''The James Gang'' was filmed in Cardiff and Swansea; directed by Mick Barker .
*1997: Part of '' Mortal Kombat: Annihilation'' was filmed on location at Parys Mountain on the island of Anglesey.
*1998: '' Willow'' was filmed in Dinorwic quarry, Snowdonia and directed by Ron Howard.
*1998: '' Hilary and Jackie'' was filmed in Cilcain and is the story of cellist Jacqueline du Pré, starring Emily Watson and Rachel Griffith it was directed by Anand Tucker.
*1998: '' The Theory of Flight '' was filmed around Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil (; cy, Merthyr Tudful ) is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydf ...
, directed by Paul Greengrass.
*1998: ''Up 'n' Under
''Up 'n' Under'' is a comedy by English playwright John Godber, first staged at the Hull Truck Theatre in 1984. It won The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy that same year. The sequel, ''Up 'n' Under II'', followed in 1985.
Plot
It fo ...
'' was filmed in Stradey Park and Cardiff, directed by John Godber.
*1999: '' The World is Not Enough'' was filmed at the Cwm Dyli
Cwm Dyli is the location of a hydro-electric power station on the southern flank of the Snowdon range in North Wales. At the time it was built, it was the largest hydro-electric power station in the United Kingdom. It is Britain's oldest power st ...
Pipeline, Snowdonia. Directed by Michael Apted.
*2000: ''Rancid Aluminium
''Rancid Aluminium'' is a 2000 film, based on a 1998 novel of the same name by James Hawes. It was released on 21 January 2000 to universally negative reviews, and is considered one of the worst films of all time.
Cast
*Rhys Ifans
*Joseph Fienn ...
'' was filmed in Cardiff, directed by Edward Thomas.
*2000: '' The Miracle Maker'', an animated film starring Ralph Fiennes (English version) and Ioan Gruffudd (Welsh version) as Jesus, was filmed in Cardiff, Wales. It was directed by Derek W. Hayes and Stanislav Sokolov
Stanislav Mihaylovich Sokolov (russian: Станислав Михайлович Соколов; born May 18, 1947) is a Russian stop-motion animation director. He graduated from VGIK in 1971 and has since then worked with Studios Soyuzmultfilm, D ...
.
*2001: '' Just Visiting'', starring Jean Reno and directed by Jean-Marie Gabbert, was filmed at Raglan Castle.
*2002: '' Die Another Day'' was filmed at and Penrhyn Beach directed by Lee Tamahori.
*2006: '' Half Light'', starring Demi Moore and directed by Craig Rosenberg, is set in Scotland but was shot on location in Wales.
*2003: '' Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life'', starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, was shot on location in the mountains of Snowdonia but set in China.
*2003: '' I Capture the Castle'' was filmed at Manobier Castle, Tenby directed by Tim Fywell.
*2003: '' I'll Sleep When I'm Dead'' was filmed at fishguard harbour and stumble head lighthouse, directed by Mike Hodges.
*2004: '' The I Inside'' was filmed in Sully Hospital
Sully Hospital ( cy, Ysbyty Sully) was a psychiatric hospital in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. It has since been converted into luxury apartments and remains a Grade II* listed building.
History
The classical and elegant Art Deco structure was ...
, Cardiff. Directed by Ronald Richter.
*2004: '' The Libertine'' was filmed at Tretower Court
Tretower Court () is a medieval fortified manor house in Wales, situated in the village of Tretower, near Crickhowell in modern-day Powys, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire.
Local & national importance
T ...
starring Johnny Depp
John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Award ...
it was the story of the Earl of Rochester, directed by Laurence Dunmore.
*2004: ''King Arthur
King Arthur ( cy, Brenin Arthur, kw, Arthur Gernow, br, Roue Arzhur) is a legendary king of Britain, and a central figure in the medieval literary tradition known as the Matter of Britain.
In the earliest traditions, Arthur appears as a ...
'' was filmed at Llanddeusant near Carmarthen starring Clive Owen
Clive Owen (born 3 October 1964) is an English actor. He first gained recognition in the United Kingdom for playing the lead role in the ITV series '' Chancer'' from 1990 to 1991. He received critical acclaim for his work in the film '' Close ...
and Keira Knightley; directed by Antoine Fuqua.
*2005: '' The Truth About Love'' was filmed at Cardiff train station starring Jennifer love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt (born February 21, 1979) is an American actress and singer. Hewitt began her career as a child actress and singer, appearing in national television commercials before joining the cast of the Disney Channel series ''Kids I ...
and directed by, John Hay
John Milton Hay (October 8, 1838July 1, 1905) was an American statesman and official whose career in government stretched over almost half a century. Beginning as a private secretary and assistant to Abraham Lincoln, Hay's highest office was Un ...
.
*2005: ''Separate Lies
''Separate Lies'' is a 2005 British drama film directed by Julian Fellowes, who also wrote the screenplay, updating the 1951 novel '' A Way Through the Wood'' by Nigel Balchin, which had already been turned into a stage play under the title '' ...
'' was filmed at Llandudno and directed by Julian Fellowes .
*2005: '' Heidi'' was filmed at Stradey Castle in Pwll, Llanelli directed by Paul Marcus.
*2005: '' The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy'' was filmed at Trefil Quarries and directed by Gareth Jennings.
*2006: ''Big Nothing
''Big Nothing'' is a 2006 black comedy crime film directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, starring David Schwimmer, Simon Pegg and Alice Eve. It had its world premiere at the Cardiff Film Festival on 18 November 2006, and was released in the United K ...
'' was filmed in Cardiff and directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea.
*2007: ''28 Weeks Later
''28 Weeks Later'' is a 2007 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, who co-wrote it with Rowan Joffé, Enrique López Lavigne and Jesus Olmo. The sequel to the 2002 film ''28 Days Later'', it stars Robert Carlyle, ...
'' was filmed in Cardiff the Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium ( cy, Stadiwm y Mileniwm), known since 2016 as the Principality Stadium ( cy, Stadiwm Principality) for sponsorship reasons, is the national stadium of Wales. Located in Cardiff, it is the home of the Wales national rug ...
doubling for London directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
*2007: ''Outlaw
An outlaw, in its original and legal meaning, is a person declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, all legal protection was withdrawn from the criminal, so that anyone was legally empowered to persecute or kill them ...
'' was filmed in Cardiff directed by Nick Love.
*2007: ''Stardust
Stardust may refer to:
* A type of cosmic dust, composed of particles in space
Entertainment Songs
* “Stardust” (1927 song), by Hoagy Carmichael
* “Stardust” (David Essex song), 1974
* “Stardust” (Lena Meyer-Landrut song), 2012
* ...
'' was filmed at Llyn y Fan Fawr
Llyn y Fan Fawr (Welsh: 'great lake (near) the peak') is a natural lake in the county of Powys, Wales. It lies at the foot of Fan Brycheiniog, the highest peak of the Black Mountain (Welsh''Y Mynydd Du'') range within the Brecon Beacons National ...
in the Brecon Beacons it was directed by Matthew Vaughn.
*2007: ''Nightwatching
''Nightwatching'' is a 2007 film about the artist Rembrandt and the creation of his 1642 painting ''The Night Watch''. The film is directed by Peter Greenaway and stars Martin Freeman as Rembrandt, with Eva Birthistle as his wife Saskia van Uyle ...
'' was filmed at Dryslwn and Llandeilo, Towy Valley, directed by Peter Greenaway.
*2008: ''Quantum of Solace
''Quantum of Solace'' is a 2008 spy film and the twenty-second in the List of James Bond films, ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions. It is the sequel to Casino Royale (2006 film), ''Casino Royale'' (2006). Directed by Marc Forst ...
'' location shots were filmed in Snowdonia directed by Marc Forster.
*2008: '' Stone of Destiny'' was filmed in Cardiff's Pinewood Studios
Pinewood Studios is a British film and television studio located in the village of Iver Heath, England. It is approximately west of central London.
The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to te ...
directed by Charles Martin Smith.
*2008: ''Freebird
"Free Bird", also spelled "Freebird", is a song written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant and performed by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song featured on the band's debut album in 1973.
Released as a single in November 1974, "Fr ...
'' was filmed in the Brecon Beacons directed by John Ivay.
*2008: ''Colin Colin may refer to:
* Colin (given name)
* Colin (surname)
* ''Colin'' (film), a 2008 Cannes film festival zombie movie
* Colin (horse) (1905–1932), thoroughbred racehorse
* Colin (humpback whale), a humpback whale calf abandoned north of Sydney, ...
'' was filmed in Cardiff on a budget of £45, directed by Marc Price
Marc Price is an American actor and comedian, known for his role as Irwin "Skippy" Handelman on the television series ''Family Ties''.
Life and career
Price is the son of Borscht Belt comedian Al Bernie, and singer Joy Mann.
In addition to pla ...
.
*2010: '' Made in Dagenham'' was filmed at The Hoover Factory, Pentrebach directed by Nigel Cole.
*2010: '' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1'' was filmed in Freshwater West directed by David Yates
David Yates (born 8 October 1963) is an English film director, producer and screenwriter, who has directed feature films, short films, and television productions. He is best known for directing the final four films in the Harry Potter (film se ...
.[
*2010: '']Mr. Nice
''Mr Nice'' (US title ''Mr. Nice'') is a 2010 crime drama film written and directed by Bernard Rose, ''Mr Nice'' is in part a biopic, a loose film adaptation of ''Mr Nice'', the cult 1997 autobiography by Howard Marks. The film features an en ...
'' was filmed in Haverfordwest and Cardiff is the story of Howard Marks, directed by Bernard Rose.
*2010: '' Robin Hood'' was filmed at Freshwater West, Pembroke and starred Russell crowe
Russell Ira Crowe (born 7 April 1964) is an actor. He was born in New Zealand, spent ten years of his childhood in Australia, and moved there permanently at age twenty one. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maxi ...
and Cate Blanchett
Catherine Elise Blanchett (; born 14 May 1969) is an Australian actor. Regarded as one of the finest performers of her generation, she is known for her versatile work across independent films, blockbusters, and the stage. She has received nu ...
it was directed by Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott (born 30 November 1937) is a British film director and producer. Directing, among others, science fiction films, his work is known for its atmospheric and highly concentrated visual style. Scott has received many accolades thr ...
.
*2010: '' Clash of the Titans'' was filmed at Dinorwic quarry and Newborough Forest. It was directed by Louis Leterrier.
*2010: ''Third Star
''Third Star'' is a 2010 British drama film directed by Hattie Dalton and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, JJ Feild, Tom Burke, Adam Robertson, and Hugh Bonneville.Reynolds, Simon (2011)Trailer: Benedict Cumberbatch's 'Third Star', Digital Spy, ...
'' was filmed at Barafundle Bay in Pembroke, directed by Hattie Dalton
Hattie Dalton is an Australian filmmaker who won a BAFTA award for best live-action short film for her 2004 film ''The Banker'', starring Michael Sheen. She also directed 2010 feature film ''Third Star'' starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Biography
...
.
*2011: '' Hunky Dory'' was filmed in Swansea, directed by Marc Evans.
*2011: '' Killer Elite'' was filmed in the Brecon Beacons and Windsor Place, Cardiff starring Robert De Niro
Robert Anthony De Niro Jr. ( , ; born August 17, 1943) is an American actor. Known for his collaborations with Martin Scorsese, he is considered to be one of the best actors of his generation. De Niro is the recipient of various accolades ...
, and Jason Stratham, directed by Gary McKendry.
*2011: '' Captain America: The First Avenger'' was filmed at Caerwent, directed by Joe Johnson.[
*2011: '' Retreat '' was filmed at Plas, Llandecwyn and directed by Carl Tibbetts.
*2011: '']Ironclad
An ironclad is a steam engine, steam-propelled warship protected by Wrought iron, iron or steel iron armor, armor plates, constructed from 1859 to the early 1890s. The ironclad was developed as a result of the vulnerability of wooden warships ...
'' was the first film to be shot at Dragon International Film Studios
Dragon Studio Wales, is a complex of film and television studios in Bridgend in Wales, United Kingdom about 5 miles from Bridgend, 14 miles (23 kilometres) from the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
Studio facilities
The complex has five sound stages, ra ...
in Llanilid.
*2011: '' Panic Button'' was filmed in Cardiff Airport, directed by Chris Crow.
*2011: '' Night of the Living Dead: Resurrection'' was filmed in Cardiff, Swansea, and Carmarthen. It was directed by James Plumb.
*2012: '' The Dark Knight Rises'' was filmed at Hendryd Falls, which is the final scene and entrance to the cave directed by Christopher Nolan.
*2012: ''The Reverend (film), The Reverend'' was filmed in south Wales and directed by Neil Jones.
*2012: ''Wrath of the Titans'' was filmed in Trefil Quarries directed by Jonathan Liebesman, Johnathan Liebesman.
*2012: ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' was filmed at Marloes Sands and directed by Robert Sanders.
*2012: ''Elfie Hopkins'' was filmed in Ceredigion North of Carmarthen starring Ray Winstone, Ray winstone and his daughter Jaime Winstone, Jaime it was directed by Ryan Andrews.
*2012: ''Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger'' was filmed at Lake Vyrnwy, Bala, Gwynedd, Bala and Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, directed by Debbie Isitt.
*2013: ''World War Z (film), World War Z'' was filmed in Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a town in Gwynedd, Wales. Once a slate mining centre in historic Merionethshire, it now relies much on tourists, drawn for instance to the Ffestiniog Railway and Llechwedd Slate Caverns. It reached a population of 12,00 ...
and Cardiff starring Brad Pitt, directed by Marc Forster.
*2013: ''One Chance (film), One Chance'' was filmed in Port Talbot and Porthcawl starring James Corden it is the story of Paul Potts, directed by David Frankel.
*2013: ''How I Live Now (film), How I Live Now'' was filmed at Cardiff Airport, Llandovery and Carmarthen, directed by Kevin Macdonald (director), Kevin Macdonald.
*2013: ''Svengali (2013 film), Svengali'' was filmed in the Cymoedd De Cymru, directed by John Hardwick (director), John Hardwick.
*2013: ''Saint Dracula 3D'' (Dracula, Lord Of The Damned) was filmed at Gwrych Castle, Abergele; directed by Rupesh Paul.
*2013: ''The Machine (2013 film), The Machine'' was filmed in Cardiff and directed by Caradog James.
*2013: ''The Amityville Asylum'' was filmed in Cardiff and directed by Andrew Jones (filmmaker), Andrew Jones.
*2013: ''Dead of the Nite'' was filmed at ''Craig-y-Nos Castle'', Cardiff and Fonmon Castle it was directed by S J Evans.
*2014: ''Mr. Turner, Mr Turner'' was filmed near Llangollen and directed by Mike Leigh.
*2014: ''Blackwood (2013 film) , Blackwood'' a traditional ghost story filmed in Wales and directed by Adam Wimpenny.
*2015: ''Narcopolis (film), Narcopolis'' was filmed in Swansea which doubled for New York and directed by Justin Trefgarne.
*2015: ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (film)'' was filmed in Ponterwyd, Cambrian Mountains near Aberystwyth; directed by Guy Ritchie.
*2015: ''Suffragette (film), Suffragette'' was filmed in Ruthin where the old prison doubled for Holloway; directed by Sarah Gavron.
*2015: ''Mr Calzaghe'' is the story of the boxer Joe Calzaghe filmed in Blackwood
Blackwood may refer to:
Botany
* African blackwood ('' Dalbergia melanoxylon''), a timber tree of Africa
* African blackwood (''Erythrophleum africanum''), ('' Peltophorum africanum'') also Rhodesian blackwood, trees from Africa
* Australian bla ...
and Port Talbot, directed by Vaughan Sivell.
*2015: ''The Bad Education Movie'' was filmed in Pembroke Castle which doubled for Cornwall, directed by Elliot Hegarty, Elliott Hegarty.
*2015: ''Burn Burn Burn'' was filmed in the Rhonda Valleyand directed by Chanya Button.
*2015: ''Friday Download: The Movie, Up All Night'' was filmed in Swansea and Marham Park, directed by John Henderson (director), John Henderson.
*2016: ''Their Finest'' was filmed at Swansea Guildhall, directed by Lone Scherfig.
*2016: ''The Legend of Tarzan (film), Tarzan'' was filmed at the Dinorwig Slate Quarry, directed by David Yates
David Yates (born 8 October 1963) is an English film director, producer and screenwriter, who has directed feature films, short films, and television productions. He is best known for directing the final four films in the Harry Potter (film se ...
.
*2016: ''Me Before You (film), Me Before You '' was filmed in Pembroke Castle, directed by Thea Sharrock.
*2016: ''Criminal (2016 film), Criminal'' was filmed in RAF St Athan, Cardiff. Starring Kevin Costner, it was directed by Ariel Vromen.
*2016: ''Prevenge'' was filmed in Cardiff and Pembrokeshire, directed by Alice Lowe.
*2016: ''The Chamber'' was filmed in Swansea and Pencoed, directed by Ben Parker (director), Ben Parker.
*2016: ''Don't Knock Twice (film), Don't Knock Twice'' was filmed in Cardiff, directed by Caradog James.
*2017: ''Journey's End (2017 film), Journeys End'' was filmed in Pinewood Studio Wales, Pinewood Studio, Cardiff and directed by Saul Dibb.
*2017: ''Transformers: The Last Knight, Transformers The Last Knight'' was filmed at Ystrad quarry Blaenau Gwent where they filmed some of the battle scenes, directed by Michael Bay.
*2017: ''King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'' was filmed in Snowdonia at Vivian Quarry, Nant Gwynant and Capel Curig, directed by Guy Ritchie.
*2017: ''Kingsman: The Golden Circle'' was filmed in Cardiff. Directed by Matthew Vaughn.
*2017: ''Granny of The Dead'' was filmed in Cardiff and directed by Craig Tudor.
*2017: ''By Any Name'' was filmed in the Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons ( cy, Bannau Brycheiniog, ) are a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of Old Red Sandstone peaks which lie to the south of Brecon. Sometimes referred to as "the central Beacons" t ...
and directed by Euros Jones-Evans.
*2018: ''Show Dogs'' was filmed in Cardiff, directed by Raja Gosnell.
*2018: ''Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'' was filmed in the Brecon Beacons and directed by J.A. Bayona.
*2019: ''Dream Horse'' (released 2020) was filmed at Blaenavon and directed by Euros Lyn.
*2020: ''Dolittle (film), The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle'' was filmed at the Menai Suspension Bridge starring Robert Downey Jr., directed by Stephen Gaghan.
*2020: ''The Secret Garden (2020 film), The Secret Garden'' was filmed in Bodnant Garden and directed by Marc Munden.
*2020: ''Six Minutes to Midnight'' was filmed at Knab Rock, Mumbles, Swansea, as well as Llansteffan and Llandudno; starring Judi Dench and directed by Andy Goddard.
*2020: ''Wonder Woman 1984'', directed by Patty Jenkins, was filmed at Betws-y-Coed by Swallow Falls.
Miscellaneous
*1967: In '' Bedazzled'', when Dudley Moore's character wishes for intellectualism, he develops a Welsh accent.
*1968: In the film ''Barbarella (film), Barbarella'', a few characters use Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as a password.
*1971: In ''Straw Dogs (1971 film), Straw Dogs'', directed by Sam Peckinpah, a Cornish people, Cornish vicar uses the Welsh place name Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as the magic word in a magic trick he performs.
*1986: In ''Back to School'', directed by Alan Metter, Rodney Dangerfield's character recites "Do not go gentle into that good night" for his oral exam.
*1986: The mining communities in ''Castle in the Sky'', directed by Hayao Miyazaki, are based on the writer-director's experiences travelling in Wales.
*1995: In ''Before Sunrise'', directed by Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke's character mimics Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", as well as the "play for voices" ''Under ...
's voice, reading a fragment from "As I Walked Out One Evening", written by W. H. Auden, W.H. Auden.
*2000: ''The Weight of Water'', directed by Kathryn Bigelow, features the Dylan Thomas poem "And death shall have no dominion".
*2002: The Steven Soderbergh remake of ''Solaris (2002 film), Solaris'' features the Dylan Thomas poem "And death shall have no dominion"; George Clooney's character reads the first stanza of the poem.
*2004: ''Crash (2004 film), Crash'' features the Welsh-language folk song "Lisa Lân", sung by Carol Ensley.
*2004: ''Howl's Moving Castle (film), Howl's Moving Castle'', dir. Hayao Miyazaki: the film does not provide a clearly defined setting, but Howl's Moving Castle, the book upon which it is based is partially set in Wales.
*2019: Saint Maud, written and directed by Rose Glass; the main character speaks Welsh.
*2021: The Green Knight (film), written and directed by David Lowery, starring Dev Patel. An Arthurian tale, but also refers to the legend of Saint Winifred.
*2022: Autumn in Wales. A Malaysian romantic comedy set in Wales.
Welsh actors and directors
See also
Cinema of Wales
Scholarly resources
* ''Wales on Screen'', edited by Steve Blandford
* ''Wales and Cinema: The First Hundred Years'', by Dave Berry
Footnotes
{{reflist
External links
The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales
Welsh films,
Cinema of Wales
Lists of mass media in Wales, Films
Welsh culture, F
cy:Ffilm yng Nghymru