earthinspace The comments by people who "hated" this movie were very good comments. There are a few parts of the film which are crafted more for the enjoyment factor than the education factor. In doing so, the filmmakers sacrificed maybe one tenth of this film's historical value. I also agree with the people who loved this movie because it was so well produced and acted. All in all, this is a good film for anyone who cares about good government, family values, whether liberal or conservative. It provides a sound basis for further research if you are at all interested in the history of good government in the 20th Century. Speaking of "liberal," in the movie it is a puzzle why "liberal" seems to mean one thing in Canada and something else in the United States. Ah, well.

princessmuffles I was upset to see that this movie did not give credit where credit is due. That is, Matthew Anderson was not named as co-creator of the health care system in Canada. Matt Anderson took a small step for his rural municipality of McKillop which became a giant leap for our nation. In 1939, at the provocation of Matt Anderson of Regional Municipality McKillop, the Municipal and Medical Hospital Services Act was enacted, allowing municipalities to levy a personal tax to finance medical services. When the CCF government came to power in 1944, their platform called for comprehensive health insurance. The Hospital Insurance Act came into effect on January 1, 1947, ensuring every citizen of the province hospital care without a charge. Tommy Douglas insisted on a small annual premium to help finance this insurance. The introduction of hospital insurance in Saskatchewan paved the way for the introduction of medical insurance.I encourage you to do an internet search for Matt Anderson of Bulyea, Saskatchewan to discover why he should be known as the "Grandfather of Medicare" in Canada.

rps-2 This is a brilliant biop not only about medicare but about the whole career of a much loved politician. (That was not necessarily an oxymoron back then!) Michael Therriault has captured the essence of Tommy Douglas. Apparenly he studied many old TV clips and consulted Douglas' family. (Douglas had a Scots burr. Therriault does not use one. But nonetheless he has captured the man's peppery manner impressively.) Some of the other portrayals (MacKenzie King, John Diefenbaker, M.J.Coldwell) were not as effective. They've also captured the era with a stunning array of vintage cars, kitchen appliances, telephones, furniture and men and women's clothing. They have been interwoven effectively with old TV clips including one of Norman DePoe and David Lewis. (Remember them?) Let's hope this film doesn't end up in a basement at the CBC after its summer repeat. It's a legitimate Canadian story that should keep turning up on Canadian TV for several years and which, despite it's authentic Canadian character, would make good viewing almost anywhere in the English speaking world. Damn good stuff!

marlene szameit (szamy) I knew him ,loved him,my pals loved him.I cried at his funeral memorial in Vancouver,B.C.A true gentleman in politics in Canada ,a rarity.the father of a world class medical system in Canada.He was a fighter of causes for the little guy against the big bad guys.A pioneer of the socialist movement in Canada,the C.C.F.-N.D.P.,Cooperative Commonwealth Federation-New Democratic Party along with James Woodsworth and James Coldwell.First socialist premier in Canada for the province of Saskatchewan.Went to Ottawa as a Member of Parliament,fed govt,for a B.C. riding.His daughter Shirley Douglas ,an actress married actor Donald Sutherland,his grandson is actor Keifer Sutherland. Keifer wanted to play his grandfather but had other commitments at the time this was filmed. Know you will like this wonderful mini series.