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The final four episodes of this epic maxi series (originally broadcast over two years on CBC and Radio Canada) cover in great detail the 50 years following the start of World War II. Once a dependent colony, Canada has become England's biggest ally and plays a key role in the Allies' victory over Nazi Germany. However, a different battle is being waged on Canadian soil -- the fight for workers' rights and Canada's economic future. These issues, along with Quebec's ongoing separatist movement are recurring subjects of this era. Pierre Trudeau emerges as an engaging and powerful leader who attempts to hold the country together through this tumultuous time of social revolt, and Canada asserts its identity in the world. In many ways, the topics and times addressed in
Series 4 resonate more strongly than the previous three. Many of these issues are still fresh in our minds -- from the repatriation of the Canadian constitution to Alberta's oil boom to the unveiling of a new flag. And if the images aren't so fresh, the wealth of archival footage included on these four DVDs fills in the gaps.
Series 4 moves at a pace that mirrors this era of technological innovation and economic booms and busts -- it is fast-moving and rarely stagnant as it chronicles Canada's sprint toward the 21st century. Feminism, aboriginal claims, growing multiculturalism, globalization and many more topics arise and are always given a personal face, focusing on individuals and how they affected change. It is a fitting end to the biggest documentary production in Canadian history, an endeavour that employed 15 directors, 7 cameramen, dozens of historians and more than 240 actors (not including extras). In addition to collecting episodes 14 - 17 of this entertaining and educational maxi-series on four DVDs,
Series 4 contains a bonus DVD filled with 135 minutes of contemporary documentary footage. There are also Canadian Trivia History quizzes at the end of each episode, so you can test your own knowledge.
--Adem Tepedelen
