This film is part of Free

Moving Earth

Monster plant machinery is used in the preparation of land and for the extraction of coal in open-cast mining.

1949 20 mins Silent

Overview

Mighty earth-moving monsters fill the screen in this glorious Kodachrome colour showcase for the John Laing company's plant machinery. All manner of mechanical beasts are seen in action, clearing the earth and extracting coal using open-cast mining processes. These titans not only gore the land to reach otherwise inaccessible minerals, but return the earth to make the site good once the job is done. The film visits sites across Shropshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire and Derbyshire.