This film is part of Free
Building of a Liner
The precision and beauty of shipbuilding in Britain.
Overview
The precision, beauty and craftsmanship of shipbuilding come across loud and clear in this silent educational film. And the film has a certain precision and beauty of its own. At a brisk pace but in methodical and measured fashion it takes us through a liner's production process - from its elemental origins in metal and wood through manufacturing, assembly and fitting, culminating in a spectacular launch.
This film has a certain historical importance and curiosity value on account of being, in large measure, a re-edit of a much more famous one: Paul Rotha's documentary classic Shipyard (1935). Gaumont-British Instructional, producers of both films, would often cut 'public' and 'educational' versions of the same subject. They also frequently released films in both sound and silent versions; many 1930s classrooms had access only to silent projectors. Normally the various versions were pretty similar but Shipyard was radically different from the company's usual work - so it's interesting to see it re-edited here to conform to the house style. Though shorn of Rotha's modernist and socio-political concerns, it's a happy marriage between his majestic images and the production company's clarity of exposition.
Related
Ship is Launched Ship is Launched
Industry sponsored film 1957 7 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The famous Swan Hunter shipyards on the Tyne grease the slipway for another stirring launch in the prosperous 1950s.
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
City of Ships City of Ships
Industry sponsored film 1940 34 mins Location: Royal Albert Dock
There’s breathtaking footage of the London’s docks at their bustling peak in this informative film celebrating the work of the Port Of London Authority.
Shipyard Shipyard
1935 25 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Paul Rotha’s brilliant film of the building and launch of SS Orion from the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness.
Topical Budget 34-1 Topical Budget 34-1
Non-Fiction 1912 2 mins Silent Location: Southampton
Two of the earliest surviving editions of the Topical Budget newsreel, released in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.
RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde
1936 2 mins Silent
The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.
Workers Leaving Work at Vickers Workers Leaving Work at Vickers
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Factory gate glimpses at - we think - Barrow-in-Furness
Launch of HMS Resolution Submarine Launch of HMS Resolution Submarine
Amateur film 1966 3 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
A prestigious occasion for the Vickers Armstrong shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
Fair Oriana Fair Oriana
Documentary 1961 28 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
The spectacular story of the building of a massive ocean liner.
Shipyard Shipyard
1935 25 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Paul Rotha’s brilliant film of the building and launch of SS Orion from the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness.
Lancashire at Work Lancashire at Work
Documentary 1933 22 mins Location: Lancashire
An epic and electrifying portrait of the county that cradled the industrial revolution.
Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903) Royal Visit to Barrow and Launch of HMS Dominion (1903)
Non-Fiction 1903 5 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
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.