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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 1910 8 mins Silent
The construction and launch of the S.S. Olympic, the sister ship of the Titanic.
Non-Fiction 1903 5 mins Silent Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Princess Louise comes to Edwardian Barrow in Furness to christen the battleship HMS Dominion.
Documentary 1952 25 mins
A heart-warming tale about a Tyneside shipyard worker who dreams of a cruise on the luxury ocean liner he helps to build.
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Greenock
Unruly shipworkers defy direction from Mitchell and Kenyon's showmen partners.
Industry sponsored film 1950 9 mins Silent Location: Middlesbrough
Grandeur, excitement and pride for a Middlesbrough crowd at the Smiths Dock launch of a ship for the Sugar Line.
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.
Comedy 1896 1 mins Silent
A deft music hall act adapted for film, featuring the only known appearance of pioneer filmmaker Robert Paul
Advert 1985 2 mins
Take a fighter jet, a Top Gun pilot with sunglasses and a brand new SAAB 900 and you have a sure-fire vehicle to launch a Hollywood career.
Promotional 2019 10 mins
A wandering warrior dreams of a new form of expression, in this promo for UNKLE’s album The Road: Part II / Lost Highway Pt. II directed by Warren Du Preez and Nick Thornton Jones.
1935 16 mins
A rare glimpse of 1930s London in colour: the Thames has never looked lovelier.
1965 1 mins Location: York
A world away from zany humour, Richard Lester shows he can also capture the easy opulence of the upper class nibbling After Eight mints.
Advert 1946 1 mins Silent
Life is looking up! The war is over and the “Corona” Man can visit his “Corona” families once more, door-to-door.
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