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Big Mill, The (1963)
 

Courtesy of Scottish Screen Archive

Main image of Big Mill, The (1963)
 
35mm film, 25 mins, colour
 
Director Laurence Henson
SponsorsFilms of Scotland
 Colvilles Ltd
Production CompanyTemplar Film Studios
PhotographyEdward McConnell
 
Scottish Screen Archive collection

The production of sheet steel at the Ravenscraig and Gartcosh Works of Colvilles Ltd. Lanarkshire. Ravenscraig steel works produced steel in many forms - to make cars and desks, bridges and ships for worldwide markets.

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The Ravenscraig steel plant was developed by Colvilles steel company in the late 1950s. Re-development of its production lines in the 1960s was heralded with much optimism as a saviour of the industry and a long lasting source of local employment. Iron was smelted, converted to steel, and subsequently rolled or forged to meet the demands of both domestic and international industrial markets. However, Scotland's steel industry was over-reliant on the fluctuating fortunes of the British shipbuilding yards. Some 60% of Scotland's steel output was destined for shipbuilding purposes, and as that industry declined in the 1960s, the steel trade began to collapse with it.

The Big Mill (1963) is a valuable document of a now virtually defunct industry. Upon its release it received awards at several international film festivals and was distributed worldwide as a short cinema film.

Janet McBain

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Video Clips
Extract (4:14)
GALLERY / SCRIPTS / AUDIO
SEE ALSO
Etna Steel Mill (c. 1968)