Orderers (1974)
"Les ordres" (original title)

A fact-based account of ordinary citizens who found themselves arrested and imprisoned without charge for weeks during the October Crisis in 1970 Quebec.

Director:

Michel Brault

Writer:

Michel Brault

Stars:

Hélène Loiselle, Jean Lapointe, Guy Provost

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hélène Loiselle	...	Marie Boudreau
Jean Lapointe	...	Clermont Boudreau
Guy Provost	...	Dr. Jean-Marie Beauchemin
Claude Gauthier	...	Richard Lavoie
Louise Forestier	...	Claudette Dusseault
Louise Pratte	...	Louise Boudreau
Martine Pratte	...	Martine Boudreau
Monique Pratte	...	Monique Boudreau
Amulette Garneau	...	Mrs. Thibault, The Neighbour
Louise Latraverse	...	Claire Beauchemin
Sophie Clément	...	Ginette Lavoie
Esther Auger	...	Esther
Claire Richard	...	Mrs. Vezina
J. Léo Gagnon	...	The Grocer
José Rettino	...	The Foreman

Storyline

October 1970: Under the pretext of waging war against the terrorist group Front de libération du Québec, the Canadian Parliament passes the War Measures Act. The Police and the Army use it and try to break-up popular groups in the Province of Quebec. More than 400 people are arrested for what appears to be their social activities. No charges are ever filed against them. This is their story.

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Plot Keywords:

war measures act | police | politics | quebec nationalism | quebec separatism | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

French English

Release Date:

27 September 1974 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Orderers

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 260,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Les Productions Prisma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Richard Lavoie is arrested, officers ask him his age and birthday. He answer he's 34 and born on January 31th, 1939. Since the events of the movie are all set in October/November 1970, he would only be 31.

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Connections

Featured in Cinéma Vérité: Defining the Moment (2000)

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Soundtracks

"La Complainte de mon frère"
Written by Philippe Gagnon

User Reviews

Hollywood producers often rely on foreign masterpieces for diluted remakes. This is one of them.

It really happened. it was October 1970. Wartime law was voted in Canada. Not Bosnia, not Congo, not Cosovo, not Albania. Canada. At dawn, 400 individuals were arrested in Montréal and held in jail for weeks without charges nor explanation. This masterpiece by Michel Brault tells about it. Wether you see it to understand current canadian news or to reflect on freedom or to see an excellent thriller, I doubt you'll regret it. A must for communication students.