The Media Archive for Central England is the public screen archive for the East and West Midlands. An independent charity and company based at the University of Lincoln, MACE acquires, catalogues, preserves and makes widely available moving image materials that inform our understanding of the diverse cultures and histories of communities between the Lincolnshire coast and the Welsh border.
This film is part of Free
Smethwick Foundry Industry
The dirt, grime and molten metal of the foundry has long reflected the strength of West Midlands industry; but for how much longer?
From the collection of:
Overview
Smethwick industrialist Eddie Marsland walks through the site that once held the largest foundry in Europe. The Midland Motor Cylinder works is now reduced to an expanse of wasteland. Marsland blames cheap imports and a lack of government support. The workforce has been halved in ten years. Can this really be the final days for the once proud heavy industry heartland of the UK or can this ex-boxer stage a fight-back?
Related
Asian Jewellery Asian Jewellery
News 1978 6 mins Location: Smethwick
Hindu and Muslim creations in gold inject bright new styles into Birmingham's jewellery making industry.
Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen to the Works of Chance Brothers and Co Limited Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen to the Works of Chance Brothers and Co Limited
Amateur film 1940 8 mins Silent Location: Smethwick
19 April 1940 finds the King and Queen on a morale boosting visit to the glassworks of Chance Brothers in Smethwick - another vital cog in the wheel of British war production.
Corbett Street Flats Corbett Street Flats
News 1970 3 mins Location: Smethwick
The Boulton Place flats in Smethwick are 14 years old but some residents who used to be proud to live there want them pulled down. What's gone wrong?
Noise in Council Flats Noise in Council Flats
News 1965 4 mins Location: Smethwick
Blissful long summer days with children playing outside late into the evening. In Smethwick not everyone is enjoying the fun.
Sikh Games Sikh Games
News 1979 4 mins Location: Smethwick
Strength, speed and agility on show at the Sikh Games held at Hadley Stadium in Smethwick with a special welcome for local weightlifting hero Gian Singh Cheema.
Black Vote Black Vote
Current affairs 1980 13 mins Location: Smethwick
"There's been no active encouragement for black people to participate within the political structure of this country". A bleak picture of the lack of equality in Britain.
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.