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

Steel Scrap Drives in Bolton, Preston and Liverpool 1952
Any old iron? The people of the North West contribute to the nationwide collection of scrap metal.
From the collection of:

Overview
Metal is in short supply in the years following World War II, and a nationwide campaign to collect scrap is launched. Around the North West, people search their houses and sheds to contribute whatever they can find, from bedsteads to mangles to bicycles. Even disused tram lines in Liverpool are of value. This fascinating film paints a sympathetic picture of collective effort in post-war Britain.
Related

Back to the Community Back to the Community
Documentary 1986 29 mins Location: Bolton
Local authorities trial the Thatcher government’s new ‘care in the community’ initiative.

The Lancashire Way The Lancashire Way
Advert 1948 4 mins Location: Nelson
A tribute to Lancashire, land of industry, leisure, sublime landscape - and laundry detergent

English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching) English As a Second Language (First and Second Phase Teaching)
Training film/TV programme 1973 19 mins Location: Bolton
Innovative teaching techniques for new South Asian pupils learning English in secondary schools

Spare Time Spare Time
Documentary 1939 14 mins Location: Sheffield
A rare glimpse into the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in pre-war Britain.

Hepworth Sculpture Arrives at Bolton Museum Hepworth Sculpture Arrives at Bolton Museum
Amateur film 1970 15 mins Silent Location: Bolton
Art on the move - behind the scenes at Bolton Museum.

Lancashire Hotpot Lancashire Hotpot
Drama 1949 10 mins Location: Bolton
WWII offered new career opportunities for women, but not all men were happy about it…

New Perspectives: Tangerine New Perspectives: Tangerine
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Harry Wallace, a student at Northumbria university, explains why Sean Baker's LA-set comedy-drama, about a transgender sex worker on the hunt for her cheating -ex, is worth your time.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.