This film is part of Free
Face of Change
Britain's steel industry faces recession - and its human costs - at Ebbw Vale and elsewhere.
Overview
"Solutions may not always be easy." This film from British Steel, produced three years into the nationalised corporation's Ten Year Development Strategy, is the work of a major industry responding to recession with contraction - at a human cost. Many places on the UK metals map are cited: Redcar, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, and above all Ebbw Vale, a plant facing partial closure where much of the film is shot.
As the corporate communication of an industry in difficulty, this fascinating film has a tricky balancing act on its hands. It aims to be frank with its viewers, to acknowledge their scepticism and even hostility, but at the same time to give them hope by extolling measures in place to assist affected staff via employment counselling and re-training. With its low-key televisual production style, and downbeat images of huge cooling towers being demolished, The Face of Change feels unmistakeably autumnal. We're a world away from the romantic sweep and bombast of the big industrial documentaries of earlier decades (like for instance the 1963/1968 film Listen to Steel - also on BFI Player - made for the industry by the same production company, Interfilm).
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.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.