The epic story of the opening of the Canadian West and the drought that brought the Depression in the thirties. This is the saga of a family who left eastern Canada to stake their future in the Prairies.
Cinematography
Sweeping prairie vistas that dwarf human ambition beautifully.
Production
NFB's first feature: small budget, massive historical scope.
Acting
Frances Hyland anchors the family saga with quiet devastation.
Director
Don Haldane
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Don Haldane shot during a real dry spell, making the dust clouds partially documentary. Method filmmaking before it was cool.
This was Canada's answer to Grapes of Wrath, but with way more politeness and worse box office. It essentially invented the Canadian heritage film template still used today.
CA
US
