High Row marked a significant moment for Amber Films, as it was the first of their films in which members of the production team actively engaged in the work process being depicted.

Without narration and with minimal dialogue, the film takes on a poetic quality, capturing not only the physical labour of mining but also the deep connection between the miners and the landscape. High Row highlights the organic nature of their work, in contrast to the alienation of more mechanised industries.

Though some have criticised the film as romanticising mining, the original script was, according to Murray Martin, far harsher. However, when shown to the workers, they insisted it was unrealistic, leading Amber to adjust its vision in line with their experiences. This commitment to allowing people to represent themselves on their own terms has always been central to Amber’s filmmaking ethos.