Douglas, Bill

   b. 1937; d. 1991

   Film-maker

   Douglas is a Scottish-born director who secured sponsorship from the British Film Institute in 1970 to set out to explore his roots on film. He produced a three-part ‘documentary’ series known as ‘The Bill Douglas Trilogy’. In it he recreated his childhood and adolescence in a forsaken mining town. He used local actors and local extras, and took eight years to complete the three films: My Childhood (1972), My Kin Folk (1973) and My Way Home (1978). His film Comrades (1987) tells the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ struggle to form a union in the 1830s. It is historically accurate and respected actors Michael Hordern, Vanessa Redgrave and James Fox express their personal convictions by appearing in the film.

   MIKE STORRY