Cast in a New Mould | Shell Historical Film Archive

Explore the revolution of metal casting as English sculptor Geoffrey Clarke unveils the power of plastics in this 1964 film. Plastics transformed a technique practised and unchanged for more than two thousand years. Clarke is famous for the flying cross at the pinnacle of Coventry Cathedral, but his work ranges from abstract forms and architectural commissions for windows, to a silver altar cross and decorative panels for a luxury liner. Clarke was commissioned by the Brigade of Guards for their chapel in London, UK, which was rebuilt after it was destroyed by a flying bomb during World War II. For more information about Shell’s Historic Film Archive please contact: [email protected] #Shell #ShellFilmUnit #HistoricFilmArchive #Documentary #History #Plastic #Sculpture #Casting #MetalCasting --- Shell’s surprising and captivating Historic Film Archive dates from 1934 and covers a rich mix of topics from technology, science and engineering to craftsmanship, motorsport and travelogue. The Shell Film Unit, responsible for the content, was a highly celebrated part of Britain’s Documentary Movement. Key figures from that movement were involved, including: Jack Beddington, Edgar Anstey, Arthur Elton, John Grierson, Kay Mander, Stuart Legg and Douglas Gordon. Its films were wide reaching, often screened in cinemas and through the non-theatric film distribution circuit, which brought film to educational establishments and organisations across the UK. While many films covered technological themes related to Shell’s activities, others were entirely unrelated and served purely to educate the general public. As Shell innovated in technologies that would provide oil and gas products for the world, the Shell Film Unit also innovated in the technological advancement of film, incorporating graphics and different forms of animation as early as the 1930s. During WW2 the Shell Film Unit was co-opted into war effort, making films for the Ministry of Information’s film division. Its prowess in technological documentary suited the MoI’s need for technical training films. While the name and the medium has changed many times over the years, the documentary tradition lives on at Shell. Its contemporary film team is part of Shell’s multi-disciplinary in-house agency, Creative Solutions. It continues making award-winning factual content that informs and educates the public, now usually released on social media platforms.