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
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
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
Watch for free
Spare Time Spare Time
Documentary 1939 14 mins Location: Sheffield
A rare glimpse into the leisure pursuits of ordinary people in pre-war Britain.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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…
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.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.