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See Sheffield reel time in 1969 - VIDEO



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Published Date: 08 October 2008
IT was a film made to sell the city - but it never really did its job.
Way back in 1969 Sheffield Council took on Peter Wigley as its first ever publicity officer.

His mission? To convince people that Sheffield really could become a centre of tourism and commerce.

Part of his plan of action was to make a film which showed off our city in all its glory - treasures such as the Hole in the Road, Millhouses Park Lido, Park Hill Flats and the Fiesta Club.

He asked Jim and Marie-Luise Coulthard to produce and direct the film which would be titled City on The Move.

But it never caught on.

The film went largely unnoticed until years later when it became a massive part of British movie history.

In 1997 the Coulthards were tracked down by a film company planning a movie about a group of redundant Sheffield steelworkers who turned to stripping to make ends meet.

Jim and Marie-Luise gladly accepted the company's offer of £400 for the use of some of their old footage.

By the time The Full Monty received its fifth Oscar nomination the Coulthards had helped American movie giant 20th Century Fox gross over £180 million.

Now renamed the Reel Monty, the release of the Coulthards' full-length film on DVD gives them the recognition they never received.

It provides a reminder of how Sheffield really was - a great British city in its industrial prime.

The film touches upon virtually every aspect of city life between 1970 and 1972.

It depicts an optimistic place totally oblivious to the imminent decline of its steel industry which would throw thousands on to the dole.

Peter, now aged 76, who lives in Ranmoor, loved the film - but he still believes Sheffield today is better place than it was then.

He said: "I always tried to promote the fact that Sheffield was not some barren industrial wasteland, to make people aware we are on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park with lots of greenery and an abundance fresh air. And the film did that.

"But there were places around the city that weren't so great. Places like the Moor. When it was bombed and rebuilt following the war it wasn't done properly.

"Now I believe that's being put right.

"I also love the area around the station, The Millennium Galleries and what has been done to the Peace Gardens.

"I even like the cheese grater shaped car park - most car parks are boring whereas this place is a real conversation peace.

"Things in the city are getting better all the time - now all we need are two football teams in the Premiership."

Marie-Luise, who lives in Baslow but is German by birth, was convinced to move to the city in the late 1960s after her meeting her husband-to be in Madrid.

"I loved the place and still do," she says.

"At the time we made the film Sheffield was a very flamboyant place which hosted glamorous occasions at venues such as the Cutler's Hall.

"Fargate was a meeting place with pavement cafes and the people were so friendly and welcoming - but I have to say I think the new Sheffield is a better place to visit."

The Reel Monty, goes on public release together with the 1980s follow-up Sheffield International City and Sheffield 2008, a Creative Sheffield-produced short film, on Monday from www.thereelmonty.com or at The Star Shop on York Street priced £12.95 each.

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The full article contains 642 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
Page 1 of 2

  • Last Updated: 08 October 2008 8:18 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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Mjb66,

08/10/2008 10:03:09
This is not new,I have had this film on video for years.
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