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

Consett Steel
Sparks fly in an industrial film that captures the exciting visual drama of steel production in Consett.
From the collection of:

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

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.

Steel Windows Steel Windows
Documentary 1970 7 mins
A window on to a futuristic vision of concrete, glass and steel.

Project Spear Project Spear
Industry sponsored film 1964 31 mins
At Rotherham a revolution in steelmaking has human consequences.

The First Four Years The First Four Years
Industry sponsored film 1951 42 mins Silent
An industrial epic plays out in steelmaking South Wales.

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.

Design in Steel Design in Steel
Documentary 1973 24 mins
Artists, designers and engineers extol the virtues of steel.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.