National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales

Search the Database

Browse Titles

Browse Subjects

Browse Places

Browse People's Names

Searching The Online Film Catalogue

There are over 3,000 films in the Archive's collection. This online catalogue contains a representative cross-section of these, which will be added to regularly.

Although the information provided in these online catalogue entries should satisfy many research needs, further information will, in many cases, be held by the Archive. For example, Archive staff will be able to advise on the availability of fuller descriptions of films' contents than appear here. Another example is credits: in many cases a fuller credits list will be held in the Archive's database - please contact staff if you require this information.

If, following a browse of this online catalogue, you would like to find out about other films in the collection, please contact the Archive staff who will be happy to assist.

The Online Film Catalogue - searching the indexes

The online catalogue can be searched by browsing the indexes for

film titles
subjects
places
people

You can search by

selecting and clicking on a film title in the titles index (listed alphabetically). This will lead you to the catalogue record for the film, including a brief description of its contents.
selecting and clicking on a subject in the subjects index (listed alphabetically). This will lead you to an alphabetical list of the film titles which reflect or contain your chosen subject. Clicking on a title will lead you to the catalogue record for the film, including a brief description of its content.
selecting and clicking on a place name in the places index (listed alphabetically). This will lead you to an alphabetical list of the film titles that are relevant to your chosen place name. Clicking on a title will lead you to the catalogue record for the film, including a brief description of its content.
selecting and clicking on a personal name in the people index (listed alphabetically). This will lead you to an alphabetical list of the film titles that are relevant to your chosen personal name. Clicking on a title will lead you to the catalogue record for the film, including a brief description of its content.

The Online Film Catalogue - searching the database

You can search the whole database by clicking on the category you wish to search (title, subject, place or person), then typing your search. For example, if you want to find films about Aberystwyth, click on place, then type 'Aberystwyth' in the box. This will lead you to a list of the films which reflect Aberystwyth. Clicking on a title will lead you to the catalogue record for the film, including a brief description of its content.

The Online Film Catalogue - what the catalogue records (entries) contain

The catalogue record for each film will contain all or most of the following information:

Title number

This is the unique number allocated to each film title. Whenever possible enquirers should quote this number when contacting the Archive to seek further information about a film or its use.

Title

The title of the film is taken from the film itself or, failing that (e.g. where titles are missing), from the next most reliable source such as its can label and/or other supporting evidence. When such sources are not available Archive staff allocate an appropriate title; such 'given' titles appear in italics.

Date

In the case of most professional films this is the year of the film's release or first screening. In the case of films not made for public screening, the year of production is given. Approximate dates are indicated with a 'c.' Some films, especially home movies, include footage from a number of different years and this will be indicated, e.g. 1965-1971. Some films, again particularly home movies, are not possible to date precisely and are dated by decade, e.g. 1960s.

Form

Form or type of film, e.g. drama, feature, documentary, home movie, etc.

Description

A brief description of the film's content.

Credits

The film's director, producer, production company and photographer are credited where these are known.

Running time

The film's approximate running time in minutes and seconds.

Sound

Sound - film with soundtrack.
Silent - film made with no soundtrack.
Mute - film whose soundtrack is missing or lost.

Colour

Colour - colour film.
B/W - black and white film.
Mixed - film incorporating colour and black and white.
Other - film which has been tinted or toned, or otherwise coloured.