This film is part of Free
Making a Motor Car Bumper
A peek behind the scenes at the Hillman motor car factory near Coventry.
Overview
The distinctive voice of BBC newsreader Frank Phillips narrates this journey from steel sheet to contoured bumpers. Despite the low budget, this industrial process film is beautifully shot, skilfully edited and free of cumbersome music or effects. It's an informative 10-minute tour behind the scenes at the Hillman factory, giving us an insight into the impact protection system of the 1950s motor car.
Cheaply produced for mass markets, the Hillman Minx was a huge success in the 1950s and would to be revamped and upgraded many times over. The brand eventually fell victim in 1967 to the Chrysler takeover of the Rootes group of motor manufacturers. Today the Hillman name belongs to Peugeot; the plant at Ryton-on-Dunsmore near Coventry closed in 2007. Rust was a key problem in this generation of motor cars and unsurprisingly, Hillman KLH844 has dropped off the DVLA register.
Related
Pattern for Progress Pattern for Progress
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1948 42 mins Location: Ebbw Vale/Glyn Ebwy
The drama and spectacle of steelmaking at Ebbw Vale.
Steel Windows Steel Windows
Documentary 1970 7 mins
A window on to a futuristic vision of concrete, glass and steel.
Project Spear Project Spear
Industry sponsored film 1964 31 mins
At Rotherham a revolution in steelmaking has human consequences.
Consett Steel Consett Steel
Industry sponsored film 1967 26 mins Location: Consett
Sparks fly in an industrial film that captures the exciting visual drama of steel production in Consett.
The First Four Years The First Four Years
Industry sponsored film 1951 42 mins Silent
An industrial epic plays out in steelmaking South Wales.
End of a Line End of a Line
1975 13 mins Silent Location: Swindon
After a glorious history, Baldwin's iron and steelworks in Swindon, Staffordshire, faces closure.
Wrong Bathroom Wrong Bathroom
Drama 2024 9 mins
A trans high-schooler is tempted by toxic masculinity in the boys’ bathroom.
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.