Set up in 1977, the North West Film Archive preserves moving images made in or about Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria and offers a variety of access services to users in the public, academic and commercial sectors.
This film is part of Free
L.S. Lowry - The Industrial Artist
Matchstick men and so much more - the work and world of Lawrence Stephen Lowry, recorder of the industrial north.
Documentary 1973 17 mins
From the collection of:
Overview
L. S. Lowry's paintings are both distinctive and memorable. Popularly known for "matchstick men" in grim northern vistas, he was actually a skilled draughtsman, fully trained in classical artistic techniques. In this fascinating film, Lowry talks about his art and his desire "to put the industrial scene on the map". He succeeded, though the world that inspired him has now largely disappeared.
Director
Philip Thompson
Genres
Documentary
Released
1973
Country
United Kingdom
Location
Mottram in LongdendaleCarnforthCornholmeBlackburnManchester
Language
English
Related
The Arts on Film
Watch for free
Mining Review 25th Year No. 9 Mining Review 25th Year No. 9
1972 10 mins Location: Mayfair
A painterly profile of County Durham's brilliant miner-artist Tom McGuinness.
Watch for free
Figures in a Landscape Figures in a Landscape
Documentary 1953 17 mins Silent Location: St Ives
A poetic portrait of sculptor Barbara Hepworth and the otherworldly Cornish landscapes which inspired her.
Watch for free
Dancers Dancers
1978 29 mins
Impressionistic portrait of life as a dancer in London’s Ballet Rambert.
Watch for free
Giacometti Giacometti
Documentary 1967 14 mins
Spend a few intense minutes with Giacometti in his Paris studio and see him at work on his striking sculptures.
Watch for free
Portrait of David Hockney Portrait of David Hockney
Documentary 1972 13 mins
Filmed at the time Hockney was painting Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, this compelling study concentrates on the textures and light which surround the artist in his home and studio.
Watch for free
Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt Ten Years in an Open Necked Shirt
Documentary 1984 61 mins
Discover the 'name behind the hairstyle', in this essential portrait of the bard of Salford, aka John Cooper Clarke.
Mottram in Longdendale
Watch for free
Mottram Show Mottram Show
Non-Fiction 1912 5 mins Silent Location: Mottram in Longdendale
Dressed to impress for the Mottram Agricultural Show in Cheshire.
New
Watch for free
Nowhere Nowhere
Drama 2020 21 mins
A young Palestinian woman crosses the Israeli border illegally to find her long-lost brother, who she hopes will be her ticket to a new life.
Watch for free
These Are the Hands These Are the Hands
Charity appeal 2020 2 mins
Beautiful NHS fundraiser, setting Michael Rosen’s poem to powerful archive images.
Watch for free
Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr Feast of Eid-ul-Fitr
Non-Fiction 1924 1 mins Silent Location: Woking
The UK's first purpose-built mosque welcomes a huge crowd of worshippers - and newsreel cameras!
Watch for free
And Very Nice Too And Very Nice Too
Comedy 1914 9 mins Silent
A vicar is caught flirting with an improperly-dressed chorus girl in this saucy silent comedy.
Watch for free
Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901) Manchester's Welcome to the Imperial Yeomanry (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 4 mins Silent Location: Manchester
A volunteer cavalry regiment is enthusiastically welcomed home after active service in South Africa.
Watch for free
S.S. Saxonia in Liverpool (1901) S.S. Saxonia in Liverpool (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Liverpool
All ashore! Passengers disembark and crew offload after a long Atlantic crossing.
About the archive
Know this place?
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