Two archetypal 19th century characters, a self-made property owner and a skilled craftsman plasterer, discuss their lives and work, whilst a third character presents a political analysis of the long term decline of British capitalism from its 19th century heyday. This is the earliest political film produced by the Gateshead film workshop, Trade Films. Title: Green & Pleasant Land Title: Directed By Peter Todd Title: A Trade Films Production The film opens on a winter’s morning in the...

Two archetypal 19th century characters, a self-made property owner and a skilled craftsman plasterer, discuss their lives and work, whilst a third character presents a political analysis of the long term decline of British capitalism from its 19th century heyday. This is the earliest political film produced by the Gateshead film workshop, Trade Films. Title: Green & Pleasant Land Title: Directed By Peter Todd Title: A Trade Films Production The film opens on a winter’s morning in the country along an avenue of trees next to a field. A man in a top hat, dark coat and carrying a walking cane walks by. General view of a grand stone set of steps and balustrades, and an ornamental garden looking towards a lake or river with trees in the distance, at the Gibside estate in the Derwent Valley. A commentary begins. A man talks about his life as a builder, contractor, colliery owner, residential landlord and local politician. He finishes by stating the fields beyond and the great house he stands near are also owned by him. A general view follows of a field with trees in the distance. A man in a peaked cap stands amongst some stones on top of a hill. He talks about the international craft of plastering. A man and a woman rake rough grass in a field. The labourer on the hill continues his story, outlining the techniques used in plastering walls and ceilings. The man and woman with rakes pause in their labour. The labourer continues his speech. As he continues, the film cuts to another avenue of trees where a man stands still looking towards a large imposing building in the distance. The man walks away to the right of the scene. Back to the two workers in the field, trying to make some impact on the rough land. A man stands on a hillside with an open book in his hands. He reads from the book an article about the industrial revolution and expansion and social changes in Britain. The camera moves to the right to show the view: residential flats, some tower blocks and terraced housing, mist and low cloud in the distance. Credits: Man – Roger Buck Plasterer – Ray Stubbs Landowner – Denis Linngard Labourers – Mary Lathey, David Fry Camera: Peter Roberts, Peter Woodhouse Sound: Graham Denman, Roger Schindler Editor: Roger Buck Credit: Filmed at Gibside, By Permission of the National Trust of Great Britain, and Mellerstain [Near Kelso, Scottish Borders] By Permission of the Owner. Made With Financial Assistance From Northern Arts