The stories of Scotland and its people have long been an inspiration to writers and artists. In this article we look at John Grierson (1898-1972), a key figure from the early years of British cinema.
Grierson ranks as one of the earliest documentary filmmakers and is still admired for the style and artistry he bought to the medium.
Grierson was carrying out his work at a time when governments and organisations such as the General Post Office were alert to the possibilities that cinema offered as a mass communication tool. Grierson’s depictions of his native land and its coast reached a wide audience as they were often shown ahead of feature films in cinemas across the country. His films were critically acclaimed as an example of incorporating elements of modernism
