This film succeeds in giving an overview of this length of canal and is also informative on the reasons for the route and the relative history. The many 'turn offs' to other canals are well documented. Most of the filming is good but there are some pretty amateur hand held patches. Much of the present and former social life of the canals is shown and would be interesting especially for those who have no knowledge of the subject. For me the biggest drawback to the film was the emphasis on 'nice countryside' to the exclusion of the industrial landscape, a dated attitude reflecting the view that canals are for 'boating'. An unvarnished view of the associated industrial premises and their related or prospective loads would have given a strong view of the possible future of the canal industry; only Tesco stores moorings are really commented upon. Barges with commercial loadings are sometimes glimpsed in the film but with no comment, whereas herons are given their full treatment every time. It seems that the industrial use of the waterways is considered to be only in the past; a view which may well have to change during this century.
