This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

We've Got What It Takes

The future of postwar Britain lies in the hands of her miners, according to this film encouraging young lads to work in the coal industry

1947 20 mins

Overview

The future of postwar Britain lies in the hands of her miners, according to this film encouraging young lads to work in the coal industry. Implausibly, Noel Newsome, urbane in his mackintosh and trilby, plays 'the man in the street', wandering down a hillside and into the Scottish village of Tillicoultry. Newsome persuades disillusioned local lad Tom, that coal is the career for him, by means of explaining that in postwar Britain miners are "the fighter pilots of the second Battle of Britain".

Off-screen, Newsome was a former director of the BBC Overseas Service and held the post of Director of Public Relations at the National Coal Board when this film was made. He also encouraged the idea of the production of a ten-minute monthly newsreel-cum-cinemagazine, which became Mining Review, and ran for more than 400 issues.

Featuring

Noel Newsome

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Tillicoultry

Language

English

Watch for free

Miner Miner

Documentary 1950 36 mins Silent Location: Featherstone

Absorbing overview of coalmining in the early years of nationalisation.

Watch for free

Thud and Blunder in Knock off Time Thud and Blunder in Knock off Time

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 2 mins

Miners' safety training - marked by stylish animation and gallows humour.

Watch for free

Energy Energy

Advert 1935 42 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd

Coal, between the world wars, makes the industrialised world go round and Cory Bros & Co Ltd, with collieries in south Wales and oil refineries across the globe, is a major player.