1945
00:23:00
Colour / Silent
Amateur
Industrial
The production of foundry pig iron at the Renishaw Iron Works in Derbyshire.
The film includes descriptive inter-titles (the first four are detailed below)
'This film taken in the 'victory year' of 1945 depicts the various stages in the production of foundry pig iron at the blast furnaces owned by the Renishaw Iron Co. Ltd near Sheffield.'
'The Renishaw Iron Works were first built in 1785 by Thomas Appleby and for 160 years have been producing foundry pig iron for the iron foundry industry.'
'A memorial plate cast from Renishaw iron was discovered on the founder's grave and is remarkable for its perfect state of preservation after 130 years exposure to the weather.'
'Renishaw Ironworks are situated in the charming countryside of N. E. Derbyshire, 8 miles from Sheffield on the main road to Mansfield.'
Throughough the film we see establishing shots of the iron works, the yard and the production of molten iron. Most of the interior scenes (apart from those lit up by molten metal) are very dark and it is hard to make out what is being shown.
We also see blocks of slag being dumped from railway tipper wagons and workers in the canteen.
The final section is in colour and is more exterior shots of the works.
No Credits Specified
No Production Companies Specified
While an intertitle in the film states that "The Renishaw Iron Works were first built in 1785 by Thomas Appleby ..." it has been suggested by John Steed, who has been researching the history of the iron works as part of his family history, that the land on which the Works were built was not purchased by Appleby until 22 June, 1793. According to the Renishaw Archive Film Project the final scenes (in colour) were shot during 1952 or 1953.