Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story (2006– )

A mini-series based on the work of Canadian political icon Tommy Douglas.

Stars:

Les Vandor, Michael Therriault, Kristin Booth

1 win & 9 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Les Vandor	...	MP (2 episodes, 2006)

Storyline

In 1930s Saskatchewan, a small town parish has a new young new pastor, Tommy Douglas. However, for all his regular duties, which include boxing lessons, Tommy sees the poverty and injustice around him which seem beyond his power to address with the pulpit. With that in mind, Douglas enters politics with the socialist Canadian Commonwealth Federation and starts a career where his steadfast idealism runs headlong into the powerful opposition of the rich and the powerful. Despite the long odds, Douglas' new calling would soon make him a leader that would transform Canada and have him hailed as the greatest Canadian of all.

---

Plot Keywords:

1930s | small town | pastor | boxing | canada | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

CBC [Canada] Official site

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 2006 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Gigante da Planície: A História de Tommy Douglas

Filming Locations:

Claybanks, Saskatchewan, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 1,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Minds Eye Entertainment

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The wolf from Paul Gross's series Due South, Diefenbaker, was named after John G. Diefenbaker, who was Canada's 13th Prime Minister, which is the role played here by Gross.

---

Goofs

Modern streetlights can be seen at the Saskatchewan Legislature.

---

Quotes

Tommy Douglas: My friends, watch out for the little fellow with an idea.

---

Connections

Referenced in Corner Gas: Bend It Like Brent (2008)

User Reviews

Superb

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!