O’r Ddaear Hen (From the Old Earth)

Date: 1981
Director: Wil Aaron
Production Company: Bwrdd Ffilmiau Cymraeg

Stars: Charles Williams, Valerie Wynne-Williams, Bethan Jones, J.O. Roberts
Location(s): Gwynedd

Region(s):

Storyline:

Welsh language horror short. A man finds an old stone head whilst digging his garden. His wife is spooked by it and wants rid of it. Taking it to a nearby archaeologist, she identifies it as Celtic and takes it home with her, a decision with devastating consequences.

Additional Information:

Compiled and uncredited comparison photos by Neil Webster

The film was, controversially, shown widely to Welsh schoolchildren, causing many a sleepless night!

Based closely on the ‘Hexam Heads’ case of the 1970s, a BBC Nationwide report can be seen here

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
  • 17 May 2026

The film opens with an ancient Celtic human sacrifice ritual taking place. Din Lligwy, Moelfre on Anglesey, part of Gwynedd at the time of filming.

Very glad I wasn't witness to any sacrifices whilst there

  • Capture 2
  • 17 May 2026

Looking south (possibly from Lledwigan) past Pentre Berw, over to the Llanberis pass within the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia)

Yes, it was from Lledwigan

  • Capture 3
  • 'Now' required

Real archaeological dig underway. Excavation of 'Capel Eithin'. Gaerwen, Anglesey. Lat/long: 53.2293, -4.2634

  • Capture 4
  • 'Now' required

Digging his garden, William Jones (Charles Williams) finds a strange stone head. Unidentified location

  • Capture 5
  • 17 May 2026

He takes it to the archaeological department to identify it. He meets archaeologist Miriam Vaughan (Valerie Wynne-Williams) who confirms the head as Celtic and agrees to take it from him. Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd.

Probably filmed from the upper floor of the library

  • Capture 6
  • 17 May 2026

Inside the Vaughan's farmhouse, the family are settling down for the evening. Lledwigan Farm, Lledwigan, Llangefni and its adjacent menhir

Conglomerate stone highlighted by the sun

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Miriam visits the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust to discuss the head. Gwynedd Archaeological Trust was situated on Garth Road, Bangor. In 2024, it merged with the other three Welsh Archaeological Trusts into Heneb.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

The Vaughan's go to watch their daughter Anna (Bethan Jones) playing netball at school. Unidentified location

  • Capture 9
  • 17 May 2026

Miriam and husband Arthur (J.O. Roberts) go away for the weekend, leaving Anna alone in the house. A5, looking west along Llyn Ogwen, Bethesda, Bangor

Rock-hopping on a cold Sunday morning

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

Returning home to find Anna distraught, Arthur takes the head back to William. Unidentified location

  • Capture 11
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Refusing to take the head back, Arthur drives off with it. Unidentified location

  • Capture 12
  • 17 May 2026

At the film's close, we return back to the dig. 'Capel Eithin' site again

Cow 'n' calf