Synopsis

A collection of promotional films made by Stanley L Russell for Scottish engineering companies. The programme comprises:
Men of Iron (c. 1947, b/w) - An overview of iron propellor manufacture at the Blair Foundry of Andrew Strang & Co, Hurlford in Ayrshire.
A Romance of Engineering (1938, b/w) - Made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition, this film shows the production of steel components at William Beardmore & Co's Parkhead Forge.
James Watt (1959, b/w) - A film about the life and work of the inventor of steam engines, James Watt.
Story of a Steel Wire Rope (1946, b/w) - An illustration of the manufacture of Martin Black & Company's wire ropes, highlighting all the various processes involved in production and testing.

Synopsis

Two films about the construction of major Hydro Electric Schemes in Scotland. The programme comprises:
The Moriston Project (1956, b/w) - This fully detailed film is the story of the construction of the Glen Moriston hydro electric dam by Mitchell Construction Co, from the start in 1952 to its completion in 1956. It shows all stages of the construction of the scheme and doesn't forget to highlight the hard work ethos, and the harsh conditions, especially underground, which the workmen had to endure.
Cruachan (1966, colour) - "Cruachan" is the story of the construction of the Cruachan pumped-storage Hydro-Electric Scheme, one of the most ambitious schemes of its time. All stages of the construction are detailed in this meticulously produced colour film in what became known as "The Hollow Mountain" at Ben Cruachan, Loch Awe, Argyll. Full details are shown of the steel foundry making and finishing of stainless steel castings, construction of steel cables, circuit breakers and switchgear, as well as steel pylons and electrical conductors in snowy conditions. Scenes are also shown of heavy equipment being transported to the site.

Synopsis

A collection of promotional films celebrating the steel and iron works of industrial Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s:

Make Way For Steel (1966, colour) - The construction for David Colvilles Limited of the steel works at Ravenscraig and the mill at Gartcosh. Shows all stages in the construction of these impressive plants including the use of caterpillar bulldozers to prepare the sites.
Produced by Templar Film Studios for Films of Scotland, and Colvilles Ltd.

Lanarkshire Steelworks (1975, b/w & colour) - The operation of Colvilles Lanarkshire Steelworks. The whole steel making process is followed, with close-ups of the engine supplying power to the works.

The Big Mill (1963, colour) - Award winning film on the production of sheet metal at Colvilles' Ravenscraig and Gartcosh works. We see a thick slab of steel rolled at fantastic speed to become a thin coil of steel four miles long.
Produced by Templar Film Studios for Films of Scotland, and Colvilles Ltd.

Fullwood Foundries Mossend (c. 1970, b/w & colour) - A detailed description of old and new methods of making cast iron moulds for the steelworks, with views around the Fullwood Iron Foundry, Mossend, New Stevenston.

Synopsis

A collection of industrial films celebrating the achievements of Scottish engineering companies.

Rivers At Work (1958) The story of the electrification of the Highlands by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. Commentary by John Grierson. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Green Park Productions for Films of Scotland and North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

Central Scotland (1962) A regional geography film covering the area bounded by lines from Stonehaven to Helensburgh and Girvan to Dunbar. It looks at various industries in this central belt - steel, engineering, shipbuilding, thread and textiles, coal, electricity, oil, plastics, and farming. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Park Film Studios for Educational Films of Scotland.

Young in Heart (1963) The development and production of the Hillman Imp car at the Linwood industrial plant, starring Bill (Dr Finlay) Simpson. Running time: 24 mins, colour. Produced by Glasgow Films for Films of Scotland and the Rootes Group.

The Invergordon Smelter (1972) The conception and construction of the aluminium smelter at Invergordon. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Ogam Films for Films of Scotland and the British Aluminium Co. Ltd.

The Clyde Estuary (1975) An educational film tracing the history of shipping and the shipbuilding industries on the Clyde estuary. Running time: 16 mins, colour. Produced by SEFA (Glasgow Group).

Synopsis

The story of the building of the Forth Road Bridge, filmed by Jim Hendry from 1958 to 1964. Shot in colour, often from the dizzy heights of the main towers, The Long Span features all stages in the construction of the bridge and approach roads. Includes considerable technical detail plus scenes of lorries and heavy earth-moving equipment working on the approach roads.

The DVD also includes Forth Islands, the history and flora and fauna of Inchgarvie, Inchmickery, Inchkeith, Inchcolm, the Bass Rock and the Isle of May, filmed by Brian Cairney.

Synopsis

A rare and believed lost film Today and Every Day made in 1947, covers the history of Britain's railways, and a contemporary account of all aspects of operations on the railway system. It features some of the crack expresses of the day, including the Golden Arrow and a footplate ride on the Cheltenham Flyer. Then a visit to Swindon A shed to see a GWR King class locomotive under construction.
Also included is North British (1949) a look inside the famous Springburn locomotive manufacturing factory, plus Locomotives For the Second Front (1943) a short newsreel item about building War Department Austerity engines at Springburn. Click here for a film clip of North British.

Synopsis

Seawards The Great Ships (1960). Made for Films of Scotland and the Clyde Shipbuilders Association. Produced by Templar Films. Directed by Hilary Harris from a treatment by John Grierson. An evocative testimony to the achievements on the Clyde and to the men of the 'black squads'. Winner of many awards including a Hollywood Oscar for best live action short film 1961. Running time: 30 mins colour.

WIth viewing notes by Janet McBain, Curator, Scottish Screen Archive.

This film has been preserved with a grant from the foundation for Sport and the Arts and has been duplicated in collaboration with Technicolor Laboratories.

Glasgow's Docklands (1956). Made for Educational Films of Scotland. Produced by Enrico Cocozza. Sound Douglas Gray. Script by W.G. Beaton. Commentary spoken by Leonard Maguire. The Govan Ferry, tugs and puffers, merge with ocean going cargo ships in this atmospheric view of life around the docks. As horses and carts still clatter up and down the Broomielaw, it is hard to imagine the huge changes that Glasgow will see within just a few years. Running time: 11 mins b/w.

The River Clyde - A Survey of Scotland's Greatest River (1939). Made for Clyde Navigation Trust. Produced by Scottish Film Productions. Directed by Stanley L. Russell. The River from source to sea. Working life on the river, and along its banks, in the graving docks, at Meadowside Granary, and in the commercial docks. Dredgers keep the channel clear for pleasure steamers and ocean liners. Running time: 20 mins b/w.

Synopsis

Channel 4's history of the North British Locomotive Company of Springburn Glasgow. The film details the story of Neilson Reid, Dubs & Co and Sharp Stewart which combined forces in 1903 to become the North British Locomotive Company.
Diamonds Were Forever also includes steam action of many surviving locomotives around the world and in Britain, including scenes of the legendary 1911-built wood burning engines of Paraguay, a steam rally in Melbourne, Australia, and steam-condensing giants on the South African veldt. Filmed by Eddie McConnell.

Synopsis

A collection of vintage films about life in the British Railway industry in the 1940s and 1950s. The programme comprises:
The Railwaymen (1946) - A fascinating insight into the lives of railwaymen and the wide variety of job opportunities available.
Shunter Black's Night Off (1941) - Joe Black's evening pipe is interrupted by a Luftwaffe raid on his marshalling yard on the Southern Railway.
Portrait of an Engineer (1954) - a day in the life of a production engineer at the Vulcan Foundry.
British Locomotives (1959, colour) - locomotive manufacturers face the challenge of the British Railways modernisation programme to convert to diesel and diesel electric locomotives.