Hard Steel

A steelworker rises through the ranks to become manager of three steel mills, but ruthless ambition overwhelms him.

UK 1942
Directed by Norman Walker
With Wilfrid Lawson, Betty Stockfeld, John Stuart
Running time 86min
Certificate PG

‘The film smells of Sheffield, and how right that is!’ wrote one contemporary critic. Steelworker Walter (Lawson) rises through the ranks until he becomes manager of three steel mills, but ruthless ambition overwhelms him. He antagonises his fellow workers and alienates his smart-witted and compassionate wife Ginger (Stockfeld), who is drawn to the cultured Alan (Stuart). Plus The Ten Year Plan (1945, dir Lewis Gilbert, 17min): Charles Hawtrey on the utilitarian wonder of the steel-built ‘prefab’.

Both screenings introduced by Jonathan Croall, son & biographer of John Stuart.