Description

Drifters (1929) is an hour long documentary by John Grierson telling the story of the North Sea herring fleets from Yarmouth and Lowestoft to Shetland. Caller Herrin’ (1947) was made for the Scottish Home Department in 1947 and follows the herring boats at sea off the coast of Scotland and the Shetland Islands.

Full description from the producer:

John Grierson, who coined the term documentary, made his first film, Drifters in 1929 as a tribute to the North Sea herring fleets. The film was shot around the then great fishing ports of Lowestoft and Yarmouth, with some scenes being filmed in Shetland. The programme also includes Caller Herrin’ made by Edinburgh film makers Campbell Harper in 1947. The film, much of it shot in Fraserburgh and Shetland, takes a look at changes in the fishing industry after the war.

Additional information