The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Calderdale
Halifax’s Calderdale Council inspires real and lasting positive change in the community through infrastructure investment in this film.
From the collection of:
Overview
Halifax is celebrated in this locally-made film full of community spirit. The troubling unemployment and public sector cuts of the 1980s are raised at the beginning of the film by Calderdale councillors in order to spur on their dream to improve local livelihoods. We see numerous new cultural spaces erected throughout the film which target improvements in all areas of the community.
Halifax enjoyed prosperity throughout the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century thanks to its significant involvement in the textile industry. The town housed numerous factories along with the Piece Hall, a cloth hall which was redeveloped from 2014-2017 into a centre for local trade, culture and heritage. The Yorkshire town of Halifax is also famous for its early implementation of a guillotine-like machine for executions, which was known as the Halifax Gibbet. The device was used by authorities in the town for the final time in 1650.
Related
Calderdale Talking Newspaper Calderdale Talking Newspaper
Documentary 1981 6 mins Location: Halifax
Dedicated volunteers from Halifax provide a talking newspaper service for locals on cassettes, strangely not motivated by money.
The Baker The Baker
Amateur film 1985 9 mins Location: Halifax
An experienced Halifax baker takes us behind the counter and showcases his sweet and savoury secrets in this endearing short film.
Halifax Day by Day Halifax Day by Day
Documentary 1910 2 mins Silent Location: Halifax
One of the most industrious and enterprising towns of northern England takes a break to greet the novelty of the movie camera.
The Halifax Laundry Blues The Halifax Laundry Blues
Documentary 1985 25 mins Location: Halifax
Women workers give voice to their puzzlement, anger and despair as years of hard work cleaning laundry for hospitals is discarded.
See You Tomorrow See You Tomorrow
Industry sponsored film 1965 17 mins Location: Halifax
The lesson here is clear, do the right things in the workplace – wear totectors and Rozalex barrier cream – and all will be well, and if not there is a nurse on hand with a plaster.
Gledhill Collection 5 Gledhill Collection 5
Home movie 1940 12 mins Silent Location: Halifax
Life in an army training camp as new squaddies, learning to drill and use a rifle, are joined by evacuees from Dunkirk, having a haircut and mixing up handball with football.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2024 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2024 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.