Politics and History
From its beginnings, the National Film Board has tackled social and economic issues. Excerpts in this theme show how documentary film can play a part in social action.
Excerpts
Front of Steel
1
"I Just Didn't Want to Die": The 1914 Newfoundland Sealing Disaster
1
"Just One Big Mess": The Halifax Explosion, 1917
1
Land For Pioneers
1
On Strike: The Winnipeg General Strike, 1919
1
Rush for Gold - The Klondike Gold Rush, 1897
1
"They Didn't Starve Us Out": Industrial Cape Breton in the 1920s
1
Trans-Canada Express
1
Voice of Action
1
When Asia Speaks
1
Questions
1. This excerpt uses some rare film footage of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Does the film effectively capture the danger and hardships of the miners' experience? Why or why not? What would you change to make the use of the old film more dramatic?
2. This film was made during the war as part of a programme to educate Canadians about different parts of their country. How does that purpose affect the tone of the film?
2. This film was made during the war as part of a programme to educate Canadians about different parts of their country. How does that purpose affect the tone of the film?
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Short Description
The Alaska Highway opened Canada's Northwest, a land with riches in the rocks and in the farm areas, fisheries, forests and rivers.