The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/c6eb8497f47f63c91595768199a40887.jpg?itok=HcEi3cJJ)
Consett Steel
Sparks fly in an industrial film that captures the exciting visual drama of steel production in Consett.
From the collection of:
![Logo for North East Film Archive](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NEFA.jpg?itok=jrWg9EiQ)
Overview
There’s something primal and dangerous about the making of steel. The molten magic of the process is captured here at Consett Iron Works in the beautiful Derwent Valley. On the eve of re-nationalisation, this public relations exercise for the British Steel Corporation emphasises new ‘oxygen steelmaking’ and an impressive world market for the products, along with tradition and strong community ties in a town steeped in steel-making history.
In 1967 Harold Wilson’s government moved steel production back into state ownership. Consett Iron Company became part of the British Steel Corporation (BSC), which commissioned this documentary from Turners production house, the go-to-guys for industrial filmmaking in the North East from the 1940s. State film sponsorship and rationalisation of the steel business failed to reverse the steady decline of the industry. On 13 September 1980 the legendary iron and steel works at Consett closed, despite making a profit that year, and left a devastating third of the town out of work.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/4b7d662e5ccb62e0f2b01222f2030dab.jpg?itok=TCUeRfKk)
Pattern for Progress Pattern for Progress
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 42 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/216f6cab4d87453a63468d10650bdf08.jpg?itok=DTGcvQkA)
Steel Windows Steel Windows
Documentary 1970 7 mins
A window on to a futuristic vision of concrete, glass and steel.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/43e2718c440cabcda1a041f73ac3aa01.jpg?itok=WZA_iGBo)
Project Spear Project Spear
Industry sponsored film 1964 31 mins
At Rotherham a revolution in steelmaking has human consequences.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/8f76aa202539a80555562d4b4ae6f495.jpg?itok=DjxzYPEF)
The First Four Years The First Four Years
Industry sponsored film 1951 42 mins Silent
An industrial epic plays out in steelmaking South Wales.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/da11a8acd4a170dc588ca45a60854afa.jpg?itok=h1pWdDUK)
End of a Line End of a Line
1975 13 mins Silent Location: Swindon
After a glorious history, Baldwin's iron and steelworks in Swindon, Staffordshire, faces closure.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/854207c6629991dcf856556e5728921a.jpg?itok=XfdAL1nu)
Design in Steel Design in Steel
Documentary 1973 24 mins
Artists, designers and engineers extol the virtues of steel.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/promo259607252.jpg?itok=lL8NhNaK)
New Derwentside New Derwentside
Promotional 1981 9 mins Location: Consett
Steel men work their last shift at Consett and a town loses its industrial heart.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.