The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Straw Dogs at St Buryan
Actors talk of Straw Dogs while on location in Cornwall.
From the collection of:
Overview
Members of the cast are interviewed in St. Buryan Cornwall during a night shoot on the set of the film Straw Dogs. Sam Peckinpah's film is set in a small village in Cornwall and based upon the novel The Siege Of Trencher’s Farm by Gordon Williams. American mathematician David Sumner played by Dustin Hoffman comes to live with his wife Amy played by Susan George in rural Cornwall. Amy’s ex-boyfriend and his friends take exception to an outsider marrying one of their own.
Straw Dogs contains a controversial sex scene and explores the theme of rape and retribution, which led to the film being banned from release on video or shown on television in the UK until 2001. At the time the film was notorious because films in general were getting perceptibly more violent in their content. Director Sam Peckinpah gained notoriety for his work which often dealt with conflict and corruption behind violence in human society and gave him the nickname of Bloody Sam.
Related
Watch for free
Film Director Ken Russell Film Director Ken Russell
News 1972 3 mins Location: Torquay
Writer and Director Ken Russell explains his brush with The Devils.
Currently unavailable
Derek Jarman in Conversation with Simon Field Derek Jarman in Conversation with Simon Field
1989 32 mins
A far reaching interview with multifaceted artist Derek Jarman, conducted in 1987 by producer and critic Simon Field as part of the ICA Guardian Conversations series.
Watch for free
Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie Anna Karina on Vivre sa vie
Inside Film 2016 35 mins
The actor discusses Jean-Luc Godard’s film about a young woman who drifts into prostitution, and her relationship with the director.
Watch for free
Vanessa Redgrave Vanessa Redgrave
Inside Film 1968 29 mins
Political beliefs and public profile is the core of Redgrave's interview, conducted at a time of immense upheaval in British life.
Watch for free
James Fox James Fox
Inside Film 1968 19 mins
Happy and relaxed dialogue with the then 28-year-old actor, covering his rise to fame and plans for the future.
Watch for free
Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey Leonard Whiting Olivia Hussey
Inside Film 1967 16 mins
Teenage actors discuss their work with Franco Zeffirelli on Romeo and Juliet.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.