Can you help me find a documentary about child labor in the Industrial Revolution?

This isn’t specifically about your issue, but you may still find it helpful.

I found a bunch of things on youtube but I don’t think any of them are more than about 10 minutes long, they are only excerpts. You might be able to find the full length films, possibly, if you search on the titles. Like one of the youtube videos, Enterprise of a Thousand Tears. That is a -10 minute clip but I tried to search on the title and got hits but my Mac doesn’t want to play the videos. If you have a PC it might work for you. Also, you can check out the related videos on the youtube links.

youtube 1

And another one from youtube, but it’s a little weird, as it starts with the production companies intro starts with “Oh, crap” and the sound quality is bad.

youtube 2

And some other stuff.

Video Link 1?

Video Link 2?

Library of Congress video?

And the Library of Congress has some great resources for teachers.

I have assumed that you have been looking for online resources but whether any of the films you see clips of, if they are appropriate, can be ordered or rented, I haven’t been looking for that info.

I haven’t watched any documentaries on the subject, though I am fascinated by both the industrial revolution any child labor, but since you mentioned being open to fiction on the subject I’m going to mention Newsies. I expect it’s probably a familiar film, but it’s the only film I know and love explicitly about child labor. I wish there were more. Something about coalmine kids or something.

A Google video search brings up a few. Google books will also find textbooks on the subject some of which are available online.

The BBC has recently done a documentary on child labour in the industrial revolution I think it was called The Children of the Revolution

Charles Dickens wrote extensively on this topic. Though Dickens was not a documentarian, his classic “Oliver Twist” is a grim depiction of the sufferings endured by children who lived in poverty during the late 19th century. The musical version, “Oliver” gives a glimpse at the treatment of children that took place in England in those not so child friendly times. The movie is a good depiction of the well accepted view that “Children were to be seen and not heard” By far, though, “Oliver” is a much more light hearted and even whimsical expose’ on the subject than I imagine Dickens would have approved of. His masterful book is anything but lighthearted or whimsical. I suggest that you read the book to get a truthful honest portrayal of the way it was for the kiddies…not so good!

I wish child labour was a thing of the past but as this documentary shows it isn’t.

The Devil’s Minors

@aLittleBit Just started reading that book yesterday! :)

@tranquilsea I just downloaded that movie yesterday, and am going to watch it sometime this week!

Thanks everyone!!

@ladymia69 That movie made me cry and I felt horrible for days afterwards. It really makes you appreciate labour unions and what they did in the early years.

There is a decent BBC documentary about Robert Owen the welsh social reformer, founder of the Cooperative and performer of economic miracles. He was a successful and enlightened factory manager who applied a socialist, rather than a capitalist regime . He was appalled at the treatment of child labour in British industry, campaigned politically to improve education and conditions for children. Was vehemently anti-corporal punishment and insisted on humane treatment for all workers and that they share communally in the fruits of their labour. Check him out.