Ripe Earth

Documentary made by John and Roy Boulting focusing on harvest time.

Early morning scenes around a farm, featuring pigs, chickens, geese and cattle. The livestock are let out into the sunshine. A tractor pulls a binder while boys and men stand in a cornfield waiting for rabbits to break cover. Two rabbits are shot. The sheaves of corn are stood up to dry in stooks, before farm workers relax and eat lunch by a hedge. The sheaves are pitched into wagons and carted to the stack. At a local windmill, the grain is ground. There are scenes of Morris Dancing and a harvest supper. In the local church the Reverend Conrad Noel leads the harvest thanksgiving service.

Featured Buildings

Thaxted Parish Church

Keywords

Farm workers; Farming; Harvesting; Morris dancing; Religious services; Windmills

Background Information

Documentary made by John and Roy Boulting before they became famous for their cinema feature films.