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Richard Burton - rare archive of National Coal Board film 1970

Richard Burton is on the set of the British gangland film β€˜Villain’ where he breaks to record a short film for the National Coal Board (NCB) in 1970. Here Burton snatches a few moments between takes of the film's closing scenes to attempt a piece to camera for the safety film, referring to the risks involved in working in the coal industry. He explains that although he never really worked in the mines, many of the men in his family did, and that consequently he was aware of the serious risks involved.

Certainly all of Burton's brothers and his father spent at least part of their working lives underground, as did his brother-in-law Elfed James. The safety film, produced by the NCB - sought to communicate the message that travelling "on haulage" (essentially hitching an unauthorised lift on journeys of drams (trams) or on conveyor belts) could be extremely perilous.

Release date:

Duration:

2 minutes

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