Please download the latest version of the BFI Player app (3.4)
AirPlay is now enabled and casting functionality has been improved
This film is part of Free
The spectacular story of the building of a massive ocean liner.
Documentary 1961 28 mins
This terrific documentary tells the story of the making of the huge TSS Oriana, last of the Orient liners. Sponsored by United Steel, source of much of Oriana's raw material, it takes us from Scunthorpe and Rotherham steel mills to Barrow shipyards via Southampton docks to the open waves. By turns lucidly informative and splendidly bombastic, it's not just the story of a ship but an epic hymn to the interconnection of industries.
United Steel's regular film producer Wallace Productions entrusted the project to director Bill Mason. Shipbuilding and launch scenes were shot at Vickers-Armstrong in Barrow where Paul Rotha's classic Shipyard had been filmed twenty-five years earlier. Contrasted with Rotha's modernism, Fair Oriana's stately images, rousing orchestral score and 'Voice of God' narration belong to the classical 'high pomp' phase of industrial documentary, a style that would go out of fashion in both documentary and corporate films but remains appealing when done well. Top-rank industrial filmmaker Mason (best known for his Shell and BP motor-racing films) made three major films for Wallace/United Steel. The other two, Steel Town and Project Spear, are also available on BFI Player.
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.
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
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.
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.
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.
1936 2 mins Silent
The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.
Non-Fiction 1900 1 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Factory gate glimpses at - we think - Barrow-in-Furness
Amateur film 1966 3 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
A prestigious occasion for the Vickers Armstrong shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
1938 9 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
The precision and beauty of shipbuilding in Britain.
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.
Documentary 1933 22 mins Location: Lancashire
An epic and electrifying portrait of the county that cradled the industrial revolution.
Non-Fiction 1903 5 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Associate Editor for Little White Lies Magazine Hannah Strong introduces Andrea Arnold’s stunning debut feature.
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Lydia West (It’s A Sin) introduces debbie tucker green’s ethereal, warm and human debut feature.
Drama 1965 5 mins
The powerful, multifaceted spirt and energies of the revolutionary 1960s are channelled in dynamic, monochrome microcosm.
Short documentary 2021 5 mins
Susan Wokoma introduces Alice Lowe’s slasher comedy Prevenge, reflecting on Lowe’s journey making and starring in the film while pregnant, and her rich palette of classic influences.
Performance 1990 27 mins
The Bow Gamelan Ensemble stage spectacular avant-garde musical shows.
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 15 mins
An elderly man takes a hypnotic journey through his memories in the moments before his death.
Do you recognise a place, building or location in this film?
Help us populate the Britain on Film map by spotting and plotting the street or location you know. This is a BFI project and anyone can help.
Go to our Britain on Film crowdsourcing site and contribute to our mapping mission – to identify locations within our archive films.
Add a location
