 |
Home
Progress to date - Samuel Slater
Project and Historical Details
Samuel Slater – hero or traitor?
Slater the Traitor hits the big screen
|
|
|
|
Samuel Slater – hero or traitor?
Location: Derbyshire
THE devious exploits of Derbyshire’s most infamous industrial spy will be brought back to life this month at a premiere of a local community arts group's first film
The film explores the early years of Samuel Slater, who became famous as the “Father of the industrial revolution in America” after stealing technology developed in Belper’s cotton mills.
The red carpet will be rolled out and the bubbly popped at Herbert Strutt School, Belper, on the evening of Friday, January 27, for the dozens of volunteer researchers, writers, actors, crew and others who worked together to create the film.
The film was inspired by a discussion between freelance artist Rosemary Timms, from Milford, and filmmaker friend Jennifer Granville, from Ohio University, about the links between Derbyshire and the USA.
Rosemary Timms said: “Nearly three years, 200 volunteers and countless favours and donations later, we are finally ready to screen Samuel Slater – Hero or Traitor?.”
Produced by community group Maypole Promotions, the film was made possible by a £25,000 grant from the Local Heritage Initiative, which supports projects to discover and preserve local heritage.
Samuel Slater grew up in Belper and at 14 was apprenticed to Jedidiah Strutt, during which time he learnt the art of cotton spinning and gained knowledge of machinery and mill construction.
In 1789, aged 21, he absconded to America disguised as a farm labourer to evade a law banning the emigration of people who might have information useful to Britain’s commercial rivals.
Samuel Slater boosted his CV and exploited his links with the famous industrialist, Jedidiah Strutt, in order to gain influence and respect. He also married into a wealthy American Quaker family.
Within a few years, working with his brother-in-law, a mechanic and inventor, he had reconstructed the cotton-making machinery, which had revolutionised England’s textile industry, and set up America’s first cotton mill in Pawtucket, New England.
His impact on America’s success led U.S. president Andrew Jackson to call him the father of the American manufacturers and a place was named after him – Slatersville, Rhode Island.
All this did not go down well in his former home town, where Samuel has been known as “Slater the Traitor” ever since.
Maypole Promotions set out to discover whether the slur was justified.
The film was directed by Lloyd Johnston, who has worked on several arts projects in the East Midlands, and involved just a handful of other professionals.
The director of photography was Peter Emery, from Belper, the film score was composed by Wirksworth musician Lester Simpson, the sound engineer was Philip Crisswell, from Leicester, and the film was edited by Mike Mulliner, from Milford.
Everyone else in the cast and involved in production were local volunteers.
Local Heritage Initiative Regional Advisor Jean Rider said: “This project has shown just how well local stories can inspire people, bring communities together and forge social networks. We are immensely proud of what Maypole Promotions has achieved.”
Rosemary said: “It was a fascinating challenge to recreate 18th century Derbyshire on a low budget - particularly for me as I’m a costume and theatre designer by training.
“We managed with a lot of good will and plenty of Hessian and the Derwent Valley World Heritage Site has been the perfect backdrop.”
There will be another screening on the afternoon of Saturday, January 28, especially for the children who were involved in the film, and public showings between 4pm and 6pm, where you can decide for yourself whether Samuel was a hero or a traitor.
Maypole Promotions is now working on a book, to be published later this year, which will detail the results of their research into Samuel’s early life.
The film will be available on DVD at the screenings for a special price of £4. It will then be available on loan from Belper Library and for purchase from Belper Mill Visitors' Centre and Amber Valley Tourist Information Centre in Ripley. Visit www.samuelslater.co.uk to find out more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
