This film is part of Free
The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
Industry sponsored film 1948 42 mins
Atmospheric photography combines with some nifty animation in this directorial debut of documentary master John Krish, here co-directing with Ray Elton, who is better-known as a cinematographer. The witty animation is provided by John Halas and Joy Batchelor, pioneers in the field - and also responsible for the first British animated feature film, Animal Farm (1954).
John Krish went on to become a major documentary director, making several films now considered classics, including the documentaries The Elephant Will Never Forget (1953) and I Think They Call Him John (1964), and a host of public information films. But perhaps his most familiar (though uncredited) work is the iconic credits sequence for the ultra-suave 60s TV series The Avengers.
Public Information Filler 1973 1 mins
Who needs to talk to strangers when you're the only one who can understand the garbled mewling of your best buddy cat, Charley?
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1973 1 mins
If you can't stand the heat, Charley, get out of the kitchen and spread your message
Advert 1959 1 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Advert 1959 mins
Official government permission to stagger into work late. Hurrah!
Advert 1948 4 mins
White elephant Willie becomes a volunteer collector for the National Savings scheme in this Technicolor animation
Advert 1964 1 mins
Quirky photo-montage film warning of the perils of drink driving.
Amateur film 1959 16 mins Silent Location: Crumlin
Owen Humberstone Prosser, an expert on railways and canals, captured the Crumlin Viaduct on film in 1959, before its demolition in 1967, a victim of the Beeching rail cuts.
Promotional 1958 17 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
RTB, the Ebbw Vale steel company, records a town highlight, preparations for which have been in train a year, involving organisers, competitors, quarrymen and steel workers.
Amateur film 1937 3 mins Silent Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
Richard Thomas & Co. Ltd (later Richard Thomas and Baldwins) brings government-backed hope to depressed Ebbw Vale with new steelworks.
1953 20 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The steel industry: the men engage with gigantic machines on a huge scale; the apprentice boys help and holiday; the women have their hair done with the stars.
1956 21 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
Only connect: a little Welsh Lady doll, a steel rocking horse, burning Schnapps and the “Limestone Special”.
1949 18 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
RTB has lots to celebrate and Howard Marshall, director of personnel/public relations and the main Ingot Pictorial commentator, downs a pint in one on opening Ebbw Vale House.
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.
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.
Advert 1962 0 mins Location: Rhyl
Cinema advertisement for Marine Lake & Ocean Beach, Rhyl, a popular destination for crowds set on a day's fun on free rides.
Advert 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Who could deny these advertising claims: "Attractive hair is the ambition of every woman", and "Your family will enjoy Lincoln potatoes"?
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
