John Grierson

Hitchcock on Grierson

Legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock pays tribute to the "father of the documentary", John Grierson, exploring what made his work so extraordinary and influential.

A Return to Memory

When Canada entered World War II, the National Film Board suddenly had an urgent new mission—and hundreds of women stepped forward, helping to create Canadian cinema as we now know it.

Documenting John Grierson

The life and work of the documentary pioneer.

Creative Process: Norman McLaren

Norman McLaren was a cinematic genius who made films without cameras, and music without instruments. He produced sixty films in a stunning range of styles and techniques, collecting over 200 international awards, and world recognition. In Creative Process, director Donald McWilliams demystifies the process of artistic creation. Drawing on McLaren's private film vaults, a gold mine of experimental footage and uncompleted films, McWilliams explores McLaren's methods, including his celebrated "pixillation" technique, and his daring forays into animated surrealism.

John Grierson

A BFI-produced documentary about documentary filmmaker John Grierson speaking about documentary.

Rivers at Work

A look at how Scotland's water is being used to bring power to the Highlands.

The Face of Scotland

The history of Scotland and the factors that have shaped the character of its people.

Night Mail

This documentary short examines the special train on which mail is sorted, dropped and collected on the run, and delivered in Scotland on the overnight run from Euston, London to Glasgow.

On the Fishing Banks of Skye

Short documentary about a trawler fishing for hake.