Coincidentally I am reading LTC Rolt's book "Narrow Boat" chronicling his exploration of the decaying British canal system at the same time - apparently he was consulted during the making of this film but didn't get a title credit much to his chagrin.
Having lived in a canal area it's striking how much the industrial landscape changed in the subsequent 50 years - now unrecognisable. Filmed during World War 2 it is notable how decrepit things were at that time due to a lack of investment - very much a working environment with no hint of the leisure boom which has lead to a resurgence in the use of canals.
I caught this film on the Talking Pictures channel and it is striking how good and clear the print quality is despite being filmed during a period of technical shortages.
The plot is a little melodramatic/of its period, with a bit of wartime propaganda inevitably thrown in, but the scenes of canal and industrial life make it an important film record.
Having lived in a canal area it's striking how much the industrial landscape changed in the subsequent 50 years - now unrecognisable. Filmed during World War 2 it is notable how decrepit things were at that time due to a lack of investment - very much a working environment with no hint of the leisure boom which has lead to a resurgence in the use of canals.
I caught this film on the Talking Pictures channel and it is striking how good and clear the print quality is despite being filmed during a period of technical shortages.
The plot is a little melodramatic/of its period, with a bit of wartime propaganda inevitably thrown in, but the scenes of canal and industrial life make it an important film record.