The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Durham Carpets
The warp, the weft, and a good old yarn! Hugh Mackays display an explosion of colourful 1970s carpet designs in Durham.
From the collection of:
Overview
His working day begins and ends with the song of the looms. The historic firm of Hugh Mackays, which carpeted British royal palaces, and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, keeps the centuries-old tradition of weaving alive in Durham. This respectful, richly detailed 1970s promotional documentary elaborates on their global clients, colourful artist designs and the beautifully intricate weaving process of luxurious Axminster and tufted Wilton patterns.
This is a technically confident film by Turners of Newcastle, who enjoyed a significant presence in post-war publicity film production for North East based industries and businesses until 1999. There are fascinating scenes on (Jacquard) punch card technology and the sophistication of loom programming, set to the mechanical tune of a Pianola. Founded in 1903, Hugh Mackay made a big impression at Newcastles North East Coast Exhibition in1929, a world trade fair held at the start of the Great Depression that attracted over 4 million people, where the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) operated a five-frame Mackay loom working on a rug later auctioned for the Durham Castle restoration fund.
Related
Watch for free
Caefelin Laundry, Llangollen Caefelin Laundry, Llangollen
Home movie 1937 20 mins Silent Location: Llangollen
Nellie Boote's laundry in Market Street in operation, the women dashing away with all manner of smoothing irons as clothes are sorted, mended, washed, ironed and sorted again.
Watch for free
For Sheer Perfection For Sheer Perfection
Documentary 1965 24 mins Location: Langley Mill
A mile of yarn and a million loops to make one stocking: the culmination of a four hundred year old craft.
Watch for free
Paper Fashion Paper Fashion
News 1967 6 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Fashion doesnt grow on treesor does it! Tyne Tees TV was bang on-trend with this brilliant news feature on the hip 1960s cult for a disposable age - paper fashion.
Watch for free
Fancy Yarn Production Fancy Yarn Production
Industry sponsored film 1971 23 mins Location: Greengates
Twisted yarns and empty spindles, everything from Bouclé to Slub yarn, from beginning to end, and all, in the end, displayed on a ‘normal’ model in typical 1970s fashion.
Watch for free
Messrs. Barlow and Jones Ltd., Manchester and Bolton Messrs. Barlow and Jones Ltd., Manchester and Bolton
Promotional 1919 19 mins Silent Location: Bolton
From raw resource to finished product, by cleaning and spinning, weaving and bleaching - take a look at the textile industry from the inside.
Watch for free
Winter Fashions have been Modelled in a Park in Exmouth Winter Fashions have been Modelled in a Park in Exmouth
Current affairs 1977 2 mins Silent Location: Exmouth
Wearing Fur gets Hairy
Watch for free
Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television Son of Plain - Advertising Man's Guide to Tyne Tees Television
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 11 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Is comedian Clive Dunn the Don Draper of the British advertising world? Watch this imaginative Tyne Tees TV marketing film and decide.
Watch for free
Geordie Jubilee Geordie Jubilee
Promotional 1987 4 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
A big Geordie welcome to the north east from comrades at NERIAC.
Watch for free
All Change All Change
Amateur film 1965 9 mins Silent Location: Durham
Looking down the line on Durham station as the diesel age gathers pace on British railways.
Watch for free
In Pawn In Pawn
Amateur film 1952 16 mins Silent Location: Durham
Fur flies in a delightfully cynical 1950s cine club comedy about marriage and infidelity.
Watch for free
A Pocketful of Fear A Pocketful of Fear
Amateur film 1963 11 mins Silent Location: West Boldon
Buckle up for some asphalt angst on a tense 1960s road trip on and off the A19.
Watch for free
800 Years A City 800 Years A City
Amateur film 1979 15 mins Location: Durham
‘Soak the Serf’ for 3 groats along with the revellers and laughing nuns at Durham City’s 800th anniversary celebrations.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.