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Canadian-American Relations (11)
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The Battle of the ChâteauguayMarcel Carrière 1978 29 minThe Battle of Châteauguay, fought in 1813 to push back American troops invading Canada, is recounted in this dramatic short film by the hero of the battle, Lt-Col. Charles-Michel de Salaberry.
Recreated battle scenes illustrate de Salaberry's military strategy, while animation is used to relate the events leading up to this important battle (the French and American revolutions, the reign of Napoleon, the naval battles between the English and the Americans, and Yankee expansionist policies).
A lively history film, it provides an unusual look at the War of 1812. -
Canada and the American Revolution (1763-1783)Ronald Dick & Pierre L'Amare 1967 57 minThis feature documentary recounts the opposition between American revolutionaries and Canadian communities settled along the St. Lawrence River during the period leading up to the American Revolution. The flames of rebellion spread northward but Canada resisted encroachment.
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Dangerous Decades (1818-1846)Ronald Dick & Pierre L'Amare 1968 58 minThis documentary, part of a series from the late 1960s, focuses on the contest for the continental interior. It examines the American advantages and the problems plaguing Canada internally. It also looks at the Oregon and Maine boundaries, American anti-monarchism, and a potential sign of a "transcontinental nation to come."
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The Friendly Fifties and the Sinister Sixties (1850-1863)Ronald Dick & Pierre L'Amare 1968 58 minThis installment of a documentary series from the late 1960s takes us from the 1850s to 1863. We see several historical episodes from this period interwoven in a unique fashion. The film reveals the complex relationship between Great Britain, Canada, the North and the South—before, during, and after the American Civil War.
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The Invasion (1775-1975)1976 10 minIn 1975, as a Bicentennial special, one thousand American history buffs put on period uniforms and re-enacted the 1775 march of General Benedict Arnold's troops into Québec. This short film takes a page of our history which has, perhaps, not yet been completely written.
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In Bed with an ElephantKent Martin 1986 59 minThis feature documentary provides a gripping retrospective of United States-Canada relationships through a study of successive presidents and prime ministers. Using archival film footage, it demonstrates that Canadian prime ministers, from John A. Macdonald down, all began their tenures by making overtures to their American counterparts. Attitudes and outcomes have varied widely. The almost comic antipathy between Kennedy and Diefenbaker, for instance, is as palpable here as is the folksy camaraderie of Reagan and Mulroney. Part four of Reckoning: The Political Economy of Canada series.
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The New Equation: Annexation and Reciprocity (1840-1860)Ronald Dick & Pierre L'Amare 1968 58 minIn this installment of a documentary series from the late 1960s, we survey the period between 1840 and 1860. Canada considers its options—annexation, continentalism, free trade, and economic nationalism—while the "one continent, one nation, one flag" ideology enjoys strong support on both sides of the border.
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A Question of Identity: War of 18121966 27 minThis short film explores the effect the war of 1812 had on pioneer settlements of the Upper St. Lawrence and Niagara regions. When Britain and the United States were at war, the feud spilled over into Canada, and farmers who had worked together to clear their land had to decide on which side their allegiance lay. When many took up arms to defend their new land against the "Yankee" marauders, a feeling of Canadian identity began to emerge.
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The Story of H.M.S. Shannon1958 7 minThis animated short describes an incident in the War of 1812. Here, colourful drawings give a satirical twist to the engagement between a British ship, the H.M.S. Shannon, and an American ship, the U.S.S. Chesapeake. Sung to guitar accompaniment by Canadian folksinger Tom Kines.
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The Triumphant Union and the Canadian Confederation (1863-1867)Ronald Dick & Pierre L'Amare 1969 58 minThis installment of a documentary series from the late 1960s presents a fascinating study of the great and enduring principles of international relations. Through this close look at Canada and the American Civil War, and the relationship between Canada, Britain, the North and the South, we get a sense of the delicate balance between war and peace, and the diplomacy involved.
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The War of 1812 (1783-1818)Ronald Dick 1967 58 minThis feature-length documentary looks at the Canadian-British-American struggle for the Ohio valley during the War of 1812, and how it contributed to American and Canadian nationalism. It also examines a few of the myths that emerged from the war with a very sardonic eye.
