''The Harvest Shall Come'' is a 1942 British documentary film about agricultural work between 1900 and

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

, using the story of a farm laborer to illustrate the importance of agriculture, and the importance of supporting workers in this occupation. The film, produced by

Basil Wright Basil Wright (12 June 1907, Sutton, Surrey – 14 October 1987, Frieth, Buckinghamshire, England) was a documentary filmmaker, film historian, film critic and teacher. Biography After leaving Sherborne School, a well known independent schoo ...

and directed by Max Anderson, was well received.

Production

''The Harvest Shall Come'' was entirely filmed on location, including the interior scenes. The film was mostly shot at Hill House Farm,

Needham Market Needham Market is a town in Suffolk, England. The town of Needham, Massachusetts, was named after Needham Market. History It initially grew around the wool combing industry, until the onset of the plague, which swept the town from 1663 to 1665. ...

in Suffolk. Other scenes were filmed at Badley Hall and in

Willisham Willisham is a small village in the suburbs of the county town of Ipswich, Suffolk. The small parish village has been present since the 11th century and was included in the Domesday Book. During the 18th century the village was once home to whea ...

. Many of the extras were local people. The 33-minute documentary, with music by

William Alwyn William Alwyn (born William Alwyn Smith; 7 November 1905 – 11 September 1985), was an English composer, conductor, and music teacher. Life and music William Alwyn was born William Alwyn Smith in Northampton, the son of Ada Tyler (Tompkins ...

, was sponsored by the Ministry of Information. ''The Harvest Shall Come'' was made for

Imperial Chemical Industries Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was a British chemical company. It was, for much of its history, the largest manufacturer in Britain. It was formed by the merger of four leading British chemical companies in 1926. Its headquarters were at M ...

, and makes the case for fertilizing the soil to improve productivity.

Synopsis

The opening titles appear over scenes of farm workers stacking hay. The film opens in 1900 when Tom Grimwood as a boy leaves his family cottage carrying his trunk to take a job on a farm for a weekly wage of 2/6 plus keep. The commentary notes that farm workers receive the lowest pay and worst housing of all workers, but that there had been improvements since 1870. Tom is taught to work the plough, the harrow and other horse-drawn machinery, and learns skills such as milking and scything. At the age of 21 Tom gets a new job, which pays 14/- a week and comes with a run-down cottage, so he can afford to marry his sweetheart. The film moves forward to a scene where the couple have three small children, but still have no sink in the cottage. In

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

(1914–18) farm workers manage to gain better wages. After the war, despite the promises of politicians, wages sink to just 30/- per week. Although Tom wants to leave for a better job, he cannot afford to move from the cottage. The film shows that in the interwar period standards of living in the country generally improved, but agricultural wages declined when imported corn depressed prices. Tom is laid off for a while and forced to dig ditches "on relief". His son decides to move to the town, where there are better opportunities. With the outbreak of

in 1939 imports are restricted and as much land as possible must be brought under cultivation. Agricultural labor conditions improve again and wages rise to 60/- a week, although prices also rise. A radio announcer says that the government will look after farm workers. Tom's wife is skeptical, saying "They said all that in the last war". The film ends with scenes illustrating the importance of agriculture around the world.

Reception

The Spectator ''The Spectator'' is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving weekly magazine in the world. It is owned by Frederick Barclay, who also owns ''The ...

'' said the film was "an excellent piece of work, notable for its effective and truthful presentation of the vital subject of life in this country on the land." ''The Harvest Shall Come'' was named "Documentary of the Month" by ''

Documentary News Letter ''Documentary News Letter'' was a magazine about documentary film founded by filmmaker John Grierson. The publication was developed as the wartime successor to ''World Film News'', which ceased publication in 1938, and sought to promote a "docum ...

'', which called it "the first genuine story film made with the documentary purpose and by documentary method." It praised Max Anderson as one of the best documentary makers to appear for many years and called John Slater "an outstanding interpreter of working class character." Sir Arthur Elton of the films division of the Ministry of Information said in 1943 that the film was one of the best documentary films that had been produced. ''The Harvest Shall Come'' has been called "a far-sighted educational treatment of a major social problem."

Cast

* John Slater: Tom Grimwood *

Eileen Beldon Eileen Beldon (12 September 1901 – 3 August 1985) was an English stage and film actress. She had a successful career as a Shakespearean actress as well as in modern repertory theatre. Biography Eileen Beldon was born on 12 September 1901 in B ...

: Lil *

Victor Woolf Victor John Woolf (1911–1975) was an English actor, both on stage and on screen. Stage credits include the stage manager in the 1969 West End production of ''Mame''. Select appearances Film * ''The Harvest Shall Come'' (1942) * ''The Two-Hea ...

: Bill *Ernest Borrow: Squire *Richard George: Farmer *

Edmund Willard Edmund Willard (19 December 1884 – 6 October 1956) was a British actor of the 1930s and 1940s. Born in Brighton, Sussex in 1884, the nephew of Victorian era actor Edward Smith Willard, in 1920 Willard appeared in the plays of William Shak ...

: Commentator *

Bruce Belfrage Bruce Belfrage (30 October 1900 – August 1974) was an English actor and BBC radio newsreader.Obituary in ''The Times'', ''Mr Bruce Belfrage'', 17 August 1974, p.14 He was casting director at the BBC between 1936 and 1939, and founded th ...

: Commentator

References

Citations Sources * * * * *

External links