Biography of 'Films of Scotland Committee'

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Production and distribution organisation

The Films of Scotland collection comprises some 150 documentary films which chart the changing face of Britain from 1955 to 1982, produced under the auspices of the second Films of Scotland Committee established under the aegis of the Scottish Council for
Development and Industry.

Films of Scotland was born in the 1930s when Scotland hosted the 1938 Empire Exhibition. Walter Elliot, Scottish Secretary, was keen to see a series of films produced for screening to the millions of visitors expected, films that would reflect the upsurge of national feeling at the time. His decision to use the medium of film for this purpose arose from admiration of John Grierson’s pioneering documentary films DRIFTERS and NIGHT MAIL. Elliot formed a committee - Films of Scotland - whose purpose was to promote Scotland both nationally and internationally, depicting all aspects of Scottish life – social, cultural and industrial. Grierson was appointed as adviser for the production of a series of seven films that as a group would reflect the spectrum of modern Scotland and its people in a vivid and meaningful way and would form the centrepiece of the film programme for the Exhibition. The Committee stood down in 1939 having done their job.

At its re-establishment in 1954 membership of the Committee represented all branches of the film industry, tourism and local and national administration and manufacturing.

The collection represents one of the most coherent local and national film collections in the UK. Arguably it offers a different model for film studies from the usual sources and opens up the possibility of fresh material for a critique of the post-war British documentary. Grierson was a leading member of the second Committee producing several treatments for them, as well as his autobiographical film I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER (1968 ). The collection includes the little known early work of British film makers who moved from documentary into feature film such as Bill Forsyth, screen writing credits for novelists such as William McIlvanney and Alasdair Gray and music composed by Muir Mathieson and John Maxwell Geddes.

The extensive written archive of administrative records, production files, scripts, stills, marketing materials and programme booklets offer a discrete set of data on the infrastructure and distribution methods of a UK film agency, with evidence of audience and industry reception to the works both domestically and internationally in an era of transition from cinema-going to television viewing. These records can be consulted at the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive.

Researcher: Janet McBain

Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'

101 to 150 of 166 hits

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Asc Desc
	NORMAN MacCAIG: A MAN IN MY POSITION [2802] Add to my films The poet Norman MacCaig talks about his work to Magnus Magnusson and John MacInnes.	1977 sound col
	ONE DAY IN IRVINE [2237] Add to my films The Ayrshire town of Irvine as seen through the eyes of a young Canadian.	1971 sound col
	OVER THE SEA TO SKYE [0363] Add to my films The film follows a hiker through Skye, visiting Dunvegan Castle and climbing the Cuillins.	1961 sound col
	PERTHSHIRE PANORAMA [0364] Add to my films An introduction to Perthshire, highlighting its places of interest, countryside and leisure opportunities.	1959 sound col
	PLACE IN THE COUNTRY: Renfrewshire Regional Park, a [3165] Add to my films A description of Renfrewshire Regional Park (Clyde-Muirsheil), Scotland's first country park.	1972 sound col
	PLACES... OR PEOPLE [3148] Add to my films The planning and construction of improvements in the housing and industrial landscape of the city of Glasgow.	1975 sound col
	PLAYING AWAY [2220] Add to my films Spotlight on various sporting events and personalities in Scotland. Including a rugby international at Murrayfield, the British Open at St. Andrews and a Scotland v England football match at Hampden.	1961 sound col
	PLEASURE ISLAND [2805] Add to my films Holidays on the Firth of Clyde, Rothesay and the Isle of Bute.	1960 sound col
	POLAR POWER [3268] Add to my films The power and adaptability of Polar diesel engines as seen in a telecommunications centre, and a variety of shipping designs. (19 mins)	1974 sound col
	POWER FROM BELOW [3267] Add to my films New video The use of BICC's oil filled cables in the building of the Cruachan pumped water power station. (15 mins)	1968 sound col
	PRACTICAL ROMANTIC, SIR WALTER SCOTT [2264] Add to my films The life of Sir Walter Scott, and the landscape that inspired him. Made to commemorate the bi-centenary of Scott's birth.	1969 sound col
	PRIDE OF ISLANDS, a [2259] Add to my films The changing pattern of life in the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.	1973 sound col
	PRIDE OF PENGUINS, a [2834] Add to my films The rearing of penguins at Edinburgh Zoo.	1977 sound col
	PROSPECT FOR A CITY [2807] Add to my films Produced to commemorate the bi-centenary of Craig's Plan for the first New Town of Edinburgh, 1767, the film shows the Town's buildings, gardens and monuments.	1967 sound col
	PROSPECT OF SCOTLAND [3142] Add to my films A view of the industrial structure of Scotland, putting contemporary industries into the context of the country's scenery, history and tradition.	1975 sound col
	QUEEN IN SCOTLAND, the [2221] Add to my films The royal visits and official ceremonies during the Queen's tour of Scotland.	1960 sound col
	QUIET COUNTRY, the [2249] Add to my films An exploration of south-west Scotland.	1972 sound col
	RAINDROP [3149] Add to my films The story of a drop of rain, from dripping leaf to rushing stream.	1975 sound col
	RIVERS AT WORK [2240] Add to my films The story of the electrification of the Highlands by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. Commentary by John Grierson.	1958 sound col
	ROOTES GROUP, the [0085] Add to my films The production of the Hillman Imp at the Rootes car factory at Linwood.	1963 sound col
	ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW INGLISTON SHOW 1960 [7111] Add to my films Produced for the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society with the co-operation of the Films of Scotland Committee, this film offers a taste of the wide range of activities on offer at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, 1960.	1960 silent col
	ROYAL STIRLING [2379] Add to my films The town of Stirling and its surrounding area.	1972 sound col
	SCOTLAND - A MARKET BASE IN EUROPE [5818] Add to my films A group of industrialists give their views on the advantages of setting up business in Scotland.	1979 sound col
	SCOTLAND - YOUR MARKET BASE IN EUROPE [3153] Add to my films A group of industrialists give their views on the advantages of setting up business in Scotland.	1979 sound col
	SCOTLAND DANCES [2224] Add to my films The tradition of Scottish Highland and Country dancing, reflecting some of its world-wide popularity.	1957 sound col
	SCOTLAND FOR FITNESS [0231] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for the 1938 Empire Exhibition under the supervision of John Grierson, the film was part of a campaign to improve the fitness of the Scots.	1938 sound bw
	SCOTLANDO [5915] Add to my films Scotland - A Market Base in Europe Japanese version. Essentially the same film edited slightly differently with a dubbed Japanese v/over.	1979 sound col
	SEA CITY - GREENOCK [2236] Add to my films A promotional film for the town of Greenock, featuring the Scott Lithgow shipyard, the town's industries, houses and people.	1974 sound col
	SEA FOOD [1060] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition, featuring the research work of the Scottish Fisheries Board.	1938 sound bw
	SEAWARDS THE GREAT SHIPS [2230] Add to my films The Oscar-winning documentary of shipbuilding on the Clyde, directed by Hilary Harris, treatment by John Grierson. Scenes in the drawing offices, steel mills and shipyards depict how the ships were constructed, launched and fitted out before starting out on voyages around the world.	1960 sound col
	SILVER CITY, the [2225] Add to my films An impression of the city of Aberdeen.	1960 sound col
	SISYPHUS [2912] Add to my films Films of Scotland's first cartoon film. A version in Scots of the Greek legend of Sisyphus, read by Robert Garioch.	1971 sound sepia
	SONG FOR PRINCE CHARLIE, a [2256] Add to my films Told in song, the film follows the route taken by Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden.	1959 sound col
	SONGS OF SCOTLAND [2235] Add to my films Against a backdrop of Scottish scenes, traditional songs of Scotland are sung by Elizabeth Robson, Dolina MacLennan, Hamish Henderson, Duncan Robertson, Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor.	1963 sound col
	SORLEY MACLEAN'S ISLAND [3141] Add to my films The Gaelic poet Sorley Maclean recites his poetry and discusses his work with fellow writer Iain Crichton Smith.	1974 sound col
	SPACE AND LIGHT [3071] Add to my films An exploration of St Peter's Seminary, Cardross on the Firth of Clyde.	1972 sound col
	SPIRIT OF SCOTLAND, the [3150] Add to my films The distilling processes at the Long John distilleries at Laphraoig, Tormore and Glenugie.	1979 sound col
	SPORT IN SCOTLAND [0314] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for the 1938 Empire Exhibition, under the supervision of John Grierson, featuring the sporting pursuits particular to Scotland.	1938 sound bw
	ST. ANDREWS BY THE NORTHERN SEA [2247] Add to my films A look at the university town of St. Andrews.	1972 sound col
	ST. KILDA - THE LONELY ISLANDS [0911] Add to my films Documentary about the islands of St. Kilda and their indigenous bird, animal and plant life. Films of Scotland's first film produced for television.	1967 sound col
	STILL LIFE WITH HONESTY [2686] Add to my films The late Sir William Gillies, speaks of his life's work while the camera lingers on his paintings.	1970 sound col
	STOCK OF BROOM - THE EDINBURGH MERCHANT COMPANY [2255] Add to my films Made to commemorate the tercentenary of the Company of Merchants of the city of Edinburgh featuring the tradition of teaching in Merchant Company schools.	1981 sound col
	STONE IN THE HEATHER, a [3140] Add to my films The late Eric Linklater speaks with Ian Grimble of his life and writing.	1976 sound col
	STORY OF TORMORE, the [2795] Add to my films The construction of the Tormore Distillery on Speyside, highlighting some of the aspects of the social and historical setting of the development.	1963 sound col
	SUN PICTURES, the [1496] Add to my films A history of the pioneers of photography, David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson.	1965 sound bw
	TAY ROAD BRIDGE [2243] Add to my films The building of the Tay Road Bridge from the initial stages to the official opening.	1967 sound col
	TAYSIDE [2257] Add to my films An overview of Tayside, looking at its industries, towns, landscape and people. First Films of Scotland film to be made about one of the new local authority regions.	1974 sound col
	THEY MADE THE LAND [1063] Add to my films One of a group of seven documentaries made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition under the supervision of John Grierson, highlighting the struggle to live from the land and the work of the various departments of agricultural research and animal breeding.	1938 sound bw
	THREE SCOTTISH PAINTERS [2263] Add to my films A documentary on the work of artists John Maxwell, Joan Eardley and Robin Philipson.	1963 sound col
	TOP COUNTRY [3047] Add to my films A view of the economy of the Highlands, stressing the physical attributes and characteristics which makes the area attractive to industrialists.	1972 sound col