For more information on ‘King Coal’, a major exploration of Britain’s coal mining industry as seen on film, visit http://www.bfi.org.uk/coal.html

Thud and Blunder are two clumsy cartoon miners who helped educate colliery employees in how not to behave down a mineshaft. Made by the National Coal Board, the Thud and Blunder safety animations are pleasingly wild and primitive, and the sidekick canary is a nice touch. Thud and Blunder seldom reveal any potential hazards which could not be avoided through common sense, but they’re still enormous fun.