Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 1962 to 1963
Broadcast Medium: Television
Aired Wednesday nights from October 1962 to January 1963
This 30 minute program looked at two important aspects of Canada’s history: the War of 1812 and Confederation in 1867.
The first four shows, subtitled War For Survival, concerned the War of 1812 and featured dramas written by Eric Koch and produced by Melwyn Breen. The next five programs, sub-titled The Road to Confederation, offered individual dramatic portraits of John A. Macdonald, Georges Etienne-Cartier, Alexander Galt, Charles Tupper and Louis Lafontaine. These shows were produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
War For Survival consisted of Judgment At Ancaster, Mr. Madison’s War, Loyalty, and Facts and Myth, written by Eric Koch, produced by Melwyn Breen and featuring Gillie Fenwick, Mavor Moore, Larry Reynolds and Jean Doyon. Facts and Myth featured a historical discussion chaired byJohn Saywell, with experts from three leading Canadian universities.
Road To Confederation consisted of the following five dramatic profiles:
The Impossible Idea, written by George Salverson, produced by Julian Biggs, directed by Gordon Burwash and starring Robert Christie.
The Stubborn Idealist, written by Charles E Israel, produced and directed by Julian Biggs, and starring John Vernon.
The Lion of Quebec, written by M Charles Cohen, produced by Julian Biggs, directed by John Howe, and starring Paul Hebert.
The Big Man, produced by Julian Biggs, directed by Morten Parker, and starring William [Bill] Needles.
Mister Lafontaine, written by Lise Lavallee and Pierre Patry, produced by Julian Biggs and Bernard Devlin, directed by Pierre Patry, and starring Jean Coutre.
Written by John Corcelli – May, 2005