MINER'S WINDOW [Main Title]

The life of European miners, focusing particularly on their relocation for work, is described through stories of three miners: an Italian emigrant in Belgium, a refugee from East Germany working in West Germany, and a Scot whose mine closes, following recent nationalisation of the industry in Britain, forcing him to move his family elsewhere.

(Reel 1) The films opens on a view of Mount Etna, visible from the town of Eraclea Cattolica [Cattolica Eraclea]. Eraclea produces insufficient food to support its population, and people must emigrate to ensure its survival. An individual, believed to be Carlana Cordaro, prepares to join her husband Sandro, who is working in the Bacnure colliery, near Liege in Belgium. Their children play outside with a spinning top. Sandro is shown at work underground, before the film remarks that mechanisation has decreased the numbers of people required to work a mine. The film notes that miners can resent moving home simply because their seams are no longer considered economically viable. The Victor colliery in Castrop-Rauxel, West Germany, then appears. Albrecht, a refugee from Thuringen [Thuringia] is in training on his first work day in the mine. Another refugee from Thuringen, Siegfried, is already a miner here. (Reel 2) A National Coal Board van travels along a road, in the direction of a slagheap. The recent nationalisation of the industry in Britain is briefly mentioned. At a mine in Lanarkshire [subsequent action suggests this to be near Shotts], a pit pony is taken down by lift. Pumps empty the water filling the mine, through which the miners travel to the seam face. The film notes that the miners themselves, and not the coal, are the most valuable asset here. In Eraclea, a horse and trap arrives to take the Cordaros on the first part of their journey to Liege. The trap's progress through Eraclea is followed by a small procession. Back in Scotland Andrew Murdoch, a miner at the mine in Lanarkshire discusses news of the pit's closure with colleagues. On the bus journey home Murdoch reflects on the familiar landscape. The bus passes the Dykehead Inn, the iron works, and the Francis Sumner and Co. Wren Nest Mill, where Andrew's wife Maggie works. The film notes that Maggie is dissatisfied, as she believes "a woman's place is in the home", and makes frequent references to her desire to be a housewife. Andrew meets their child Donald and they return to their crowded family home. At the Victor colliery, Albrecht is improving, learning how to repair the underground supports holding the roof. Arriving in Milan, the Cordaros are met by a reception officer assisting with their emigration, who directs them to the CENTRO NAZIONALE MIGRAZIONI. (Reel 3) At the migration centre, men dance and play harmonica as they wait for medical tests. Tests are required of all who are to emigrate for work, and interviews are held for those with professional qualifications. France, Belgium and Brazil are all indicated as destinations. The Cordaros are assigned to a dormitory, to await a train that will take them to Belgium, where Carlana talks with other women in Italian. In Shotts, Maggie returns home from the mill, and the family discuss the possibility of moving to Fife, where Andrew can find work in another mine. In West Germany Siegfried and Albrecht shower after work, and discuss their intentions. Albrecht wants the security of a house, while Siegfried would prefer to buy a motorbike and leave, tired of the mining life. In Milan, the Cordaros are briefly shown boarding a train of the Fédération des Charbonnages carriage, bound for Liege, with another for Charleori shown. In the Victor mine an accident occurs at Albrecht's worksite and a miner is injured. Andrew is shown arriving in Fife. He meets with the Group Labour Officer of the Weymess Coal Company to discuss his new employment. Andrew is then shown at work in the mine - which has benefited from a £500,000 investment - where he learns to handle new machinery. (Reel 4) Views presenting the building of the newtown of Glenrothes in Fife, including a new school building. Figures are provided as to the intended growth of mining activities and output in the coming years in Britain. The workings of the European Coal and Steel Community are briefly described, and the film testifies as to the necessity of coal and miners to the economies of Western Europe. Carlana feeds the Cordaro children on the train as their new house draws nearer. Sandro awaits their arrival in a bar. Albrecht and his supervisor attend a meeting called to address the housing needs of the miners at the Victor colliery. Siegfried, keen to leave the mine, does not attend. At the meeting, the pit delegate announces new building work will start imminently, with Albrecht to receive one of the new homes. Sandro meets Carlana and his children in Liege, relieved to recognise them. Maggie and Duncan leave for Fife on a train pulled by the locomotive Glen Garry 62483. The Cordaros arrive at their new home, and the difficulties of resettling are discussed; while the house's running water will be very useful, the view of the slag heap from the window is contrasted unfavourably with that of Mount Etna. The film ends as Maggie and Donald travel over the Forth Bridge, as the narrator returns to the idea that the progress of all is dependent on that of the miner.

35mm