It is true that this was due to be a major theme in the film, with the miners forming a co-operative to run the pit themselves. However, the declaration of war rendered this outcome untactful and so the miners confrontation with the owners becomes one of unity rather than conflict. Although there is initial resentment at the pit closure from the men, this soon becomes a source of unity and there is a happy resolution uniting owners, miners and country.

Jeffrey Richards, in The Age Of The Dream Palace, writes '...the film's mood is one of essential optimism ... as the community itself is integrated back into the nation with the onset of war. Nevertheless the problems which it depicted would still need to be solved when the war was over.'

This may be the case however the film does not depict this future state of affairs, and so we are still left with the sense of optimism and unity that the film generates.