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Oscar® Nominee, Best Short Subject (Live Action), 1957

City of Gold

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1957 21 min
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This classic short film from Pierre Berton depicts the Klondike gold rush at its peak, when would-be prospectors struggled through harsh conditions to reach the fabled gold fields over 3000 km north of civilization. Using a collection of still photographs, the film juxtaposes the Dawson City at the height of the gold rush with its bustling taverns and dance halls with the more tranquil Dawson City of the present.

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City of Gold

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This classic short film from Pierre Berton depicts the Klondike gold rush at its peak, when would-be prospectors struggled through harsh conditions to reach the fabled gold fields over 3000 km north of civilization. Using a collection of still photographs, the film juxtaposes the Dawson City at the height of the gold rush with its bustling taverns and dance halls with the more tranquil Dawson City of the present.

Mining History - Canada - 1867-1919 All subjects
  • direction
    Colin Low
    Wolf Koenig
  • photography
    Colin Low
    Wolf Koenig
  • script
    Roman Kroitor
  • music
    Eldon Rathburn
  • commentary
    Pierre Berton
  • animation camera
    Douglas Roberts
  • sound recording
    George Croll
  • producer
    Tom Daly
  • editing
    Tom Daly
  • narrator
    Pierre Berton

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Education

Ages 12 to 17
School subjects
Geography - Natural Resources History - Canada 1867-1914 History and Citizenship Education - Canadian Federation (1850-1929) History and Citizenship Education - Economy and Development (1500-present)
Brainstorm: What do students know of the search for gold in Canada’s north? Research the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898. Discuss those images from the film that you found most fascinating. Comment, in detail, on life in Dawson City at the height of the gold rush. Burton says that many of the American men who came to Dawson City didn’t bother to look for gold; they had found what they were looking for. What do you think he means?
City of Gold
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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