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Legend of the Red Dragon

From the collection of

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
Established in 2001, the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive holds an unrivalled collection of films, TV and radio broadcasts, video tapes and sound recordings relating to Wales and the Welsh, from 1898 to the present day. The collection spans multiples formats and genres, both professional and amateur.

Legend of the Red Dragon

A captivating, upside-down version of George and the Dragon and the history of Wales. Steely George is no match for a fiery Welsh 'mam'.

Once upon a time', starts this story, as all good stories do, '.. before the National Coal Board was ever heard of, Wales was an island'. Ian Malcolm of Cardiff's cine club then plays imaginatively and humorously with the George and the Dragon tale, and the history of Wales, with his own, endearing animated characters (drawn and cut out). In this legend, George, the armoured knight, is no match for a dragon of a Welsh 'mam' and Wales gets her own, possibly unexpected, way.

This animation won, aptly enough, a Dragon Trophy at the 3rd Welsh Amateur International Film Festival which took place in Penarth in 1971. See 'Animal Alphabet', 'A Change in the Weather', 'ABZ on Sport?' and 'A Child's Guide to Catching an Elephant Kit' for further examples of Ian Malcolm's work.

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From the collection

DIY Animation

Amateur animation auteurs bring their homegrown creations to life

The requirements for making an animated film are pretty low. With a camera that shoots in single frames and an idea in your back pocket, you're well on your way. This collection showcases an assortment of dining table Disneys, who combine homebrewed talent with the all-important dedication and patience required to bring a story to life one frame at a time. Not that this was necessarily a solitary pursuit. From the 1950s onwards networks of amateur animators like The Grasshopper Group collaborated on filmmaking and distribution, and animated shorts were often a highlight of the amateur filmmaking scene. 

33 videos in this collection

1

For Your Pleasure

  • Flatford Mill
  • 1970
2

The Battle of Wangapore

  • 1955
3

Plastic Platitudes

  • 1957-01-01
4

Mr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Y Bunyip

  • 1978-01-01
5

Feline Fun

  • 1986-01-01
6

Mr Putty Takes the Stage

  • 1958-01-01
7

Mr Eppynt a Clara'r Fuwch: Yr Enfys

  • 1978-01-01
8

Dinosaurs and Things

  • 1981-01-01
9

A Fly's Eye View

  • Manchester
  • 1964-01-01
The puzzle that kick-started the 1980s comes to life in this amateur animation.
10

Cubism

  • 1981
11

A Note from Above

  • 1967
12

First Animation

  • Chorlton-cum-Hardy
  • 1980-01-01
Petty party politics gets animated - literally - in this amateur cartoon with a message.
13

Problems End

  • 1964
14

Little Red Riding Hood

  • Wolverhampton
  • 1980-01-01
15

ABZ on Sport?

  • 1967-01-01
16

On The Fifth Day

  • Wolverhampton
  • 1979-01-01
17

Animal Alphabet

  • 1967-01-01
18

The Bureaucats

  • 1978-01-01
19

A Change in the Weather

  • 1969-01-01
20

Animation Cocktail

  • 1977-01-01
21

A Child's Guide to Catching an Elephant Kit

  • 1972-01-01
Extra-terrestrial plantlife is discovered in the Welsh countryside causing mischief for scientist Dr Felix Ackerman, filmed in 1977.
22

The Cure

  • 1977-01-01
23

Legend of the Red Dragon

  • 1971-01-01
24

Keep Wales Tidy / Cedwch Gymru'n Daclus

  • 1970-01-01
25

Echo: Some Reflections

  • 1972-01-01
Nightmarish visions become a reality in this imaginative production that mixes live action, animation, and special effects.
26

The Fifth Minute

  • 1976-01-01
27

Generation Gap

  • 1973
To carry on his important work the ego-maniacal scientist Dr Kelly must obtain another hand … a hand which begins to take on a life of its own.
28

Hand in Glove

  • 1976-01-01
29

Welcome to the Losers Club

  • 1974
30

Old China

  • Hyde
  • 1939-01-01
31

A Short Tribute From Blues To You

  • Chorlton-cum-Hardy
  • 1989-01-01
32

The Battle

  • 1970
A female protagonist falls prey to the ‘Shadowman', who stalks his victim before attack. Uses stop-motion animation as well as live action.
33

Shadowman

  • Harlesden
  • 1994-01-01
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