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Series 3 of this ambitious maxi series (originally broadcast over two years on CBC and Radio Canada) covers the nearly 70 years between Canada's freedom from British rule up to the start of World War II and includes a wealth of fascinating footage and photography, rather than the re-enactments the first two relied on. It puts a human face on the conflicts and growing pains that the country, as an emerging world power, experienced. World War I, the Depression, a deadly outbreak of the Spanish flu and desperate labour revolts are just a few of the major issues tackled in episodes 10 - 13. Yet this period is not all hardship and desperation. With the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s, Canada begins an era of growth and prosperity as it welcomes waves after wave of European and American immigrants and sets them up with free land to help populate the prairies. The cities, too, thrive and grow, though in the process they soak up a strong American economic and cultural influence. However, many of the stories told in Series 3, aided by new recordings of folk songs of the era, are some of the most tragic in the series as families are wrenched apart by military conflicts abroad as well as political and economic concerns at home. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. But each challenge and test seems to fortify the country's inner strength and solidarity. In addition to collecting episodes 10 - 13 of this entertaining and educational maxi-series on four DVDs, Series 3 contains two bonus disks--one DVD filled with 131 minutes of contemporary documentary footage, the other a 12-song soundtrack CD featuring the stirring instrumental score and traditional songs that enhance every episode. There are also Canadian Trivia History quizzes at the end of each episode, so you can test your own knowledge. Like the first two series of Canada: A People's History, the quality of the filmmaking and storytelling in Series 3 is remarkably good. Each chapter as it unfolds is unfailingly engaging and visually epic in scope. No mere lifeless recitation of the historical facts, Canada: A People's History captivates the viewer with enthralling tales, powerful imagery and astute direction. --Adem Tepedelen
