The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
Test Film
A chance to see men busy welding and fitting out at one of the many small shipyards that used to dot the country, filmed by one of their fellow ship workers.
From the collection of:
Overview
A rare chance to see a local amateur filmmaker, Roy Cass of Selby, filming his workmates at work. In this case welding and doing joinery on a new ship in the now closed Cochrane Shipyard. Other major local employers that have subsequently closed seen in the film are the British sugar beet factory and the Rank Flour Mill.
This was named as ‘Test Film’ by its maker Roy Cass because it was his first film using an 8 mm cine camera. In fact Cass had been making films of his family, Selby and Shipbuilders Cochrane & Sons since 1936, only on 9.5 film. The film shows the Rank Flour Mill before it was burnt down, Cochrane’s Shipyard and the fitting out of the stern freezer trawler, the Ross Valiant on the River Ouse. The notes for the film have identified Tom Flannery and several others of those seen.
Related
Watch for free
Rhubarb Rhubarb
Factual TV 1983 3 mins Location: Selby
Yorkshire’s long and proud history of rhubarb cultivation is rejuvenated and protected in this insightful news piece.
Watch for free
Selby Gala '81 Selby Gala '81
Amateur film 1981 17 mins Location: Selby
Outdated gender stereotypes aside, this detailed and well-made film captures the profound competitiveness of locals at the Selby Gala.
Watch for free
The Cass Family, Selby, One The Cass Family, Selby, One
1936 16 mins Silent Location: Selby
Evidence of a time when people commonly kept budgies in cages, did card tricks, went to Sunday school, raced motorcycles on Scarborough beach and were transported by A4 Gresleys.
Watch for free
Selby: The Saving Face for Coal Selby: The Saving Face for Coal
Documentary 1984 23 mins Location: Selby
The most advanced deep coal mine in the world opens while those who work it stand by their fellow miners, as the future of both the miners and coal mining is decided on the picket line.
Watch for free
Review 27th Year No. 12 Review 27th Year No. 12
Cinemagazine 1974 10 mins Location: Selby
Fascinatingly wrong 1970s predictions of how UK energy needs will be met in the future.
Watch for free
March against Starvation March against Starvation
Campaigning film 1936 31 mins Silent Location: Hyde Park
Poverty and hunger compels angry, jobless workers - including Jarrow's crusaders - to make a historic march to London to petition government.
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.