Canadian Documentary Watch List
by shawnevans666 | created - 19 Mar 2014 | updated - 08 Nov 2017 | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. R.C.M.P. File 1365: The Connor Case (1947)
36 min | Documentary, Short, Drama
A recreation of how the RCMP investigated a real-life murder case in Saskatchewan, Canada. Included are documentary sequences showing the mounties at work in their crime labs.
Star: John Drainie
4. Canada's Awakening North (1951)
32 min | Documentary, Short
A look at life in MacKenzie District in Canada's Northwest Territories.
Director: Ronald Dick
5. Bureau of Missing Persons (1954)
30 min | Short, Documentary
Director: Bernard Devlin | Star: Fred Davis
7. The Face of the High Arctic (1958)
13 min | Short
Director: Dalton Muir | Star: Michael Kane
Votes: 18
8. City Out of Time (1959)
16 min | Short, Documentary
Director: Colin Low | Star: William Shatner
Votes: 25
9. High Arctic (1959)
11 min | Documentary, Short
This film records the struggle for life within the Arctic Circle. It reveals flowers of startling beauty, whose entire life cycles last less than thirty days, and strange animals like the ... See full summary »
Director: Dalton Muir | Star: Michael Kane
10. Above the Timberline: The Alpine Tundra Zone (1960)
16 min | Short, Documentary
Director: J.V. Durden
12. Circle of the Sun (1960)
28 min | Documentary, Short
A Native American young man of the Blood tribe shows us contemporary life of people as he attends a Sun Dance ceremony with the tribe.
Director: Colin Low | Stars: Pete Standing Alone, Stanley Jackson
Votes: 40
13. La lutte (1961)
28 min | Documentary, Short
Follows the professional wrestling scene in Montreal and observes the before, during, and after portions of a major show and the spectators who are enthralled by it.
Directors: Michel Brault, Marcel Carrière, Claude Fournier, Claude Jutra | Stars: Edouard Carpentier, Al Costello, Dominic DeNucci, Ivan Kalmykov
Votes: 173
14. Nahanni (1962)
18 min | Documentary, Short
The legend of a lost gold mine and a river in the Northwest Territories that lures men to their doom. Albert Faille, an aging prospector, has set out time and again to find hidden gold. His... See full summary »
Director: Donald Wilder | Stars: William Weintraub, Albert Faille
Votes: 22
15. The Enduring Wilderness (1963)
28 min | Short, Documentary
A scenic tour of Canada's national parks, from the mountains of British Columbia to the sea-swept shores of Newfoundland. Besides the beauty of the unspoiled wilderness (and there is much ... See full summary »
Votes: 7
16. Of Whales, the Moon, and Men (1963)
105 min | Documentary
At the instigation of the filmmakers, the young men of the Ile-aux-Coudres in the middle of the St-Lawrence River try as a memorial to their ancestors to revive the fishing of the belugas interrupted in 1924.
Directors: Michel Brault, Pierre Perrault | Stars: Léopold Tremblay, Alexis Tremblay, Abel Harvey, Louis Harvey
Votes: 710
17. Buster Keaton Rides Again (1965)
TV-PG | 55 min | Documentary, Biography
This film is a documentary about the filming of one of Buster Keaton's movies: The Railrodder (1965).
Director: John Spotton | Stars: Buster Keaton, Eleanor Keaton, Gerald Potterton, Michael Kane
Votes: 508
18. The Mills of the Gods: Viet Nam (1965)
56 min | Documentary, War
A documentary on the war in South Vietnam shot entirely on location. There is no narration and no use of archive footage. The participants speak for themselves. The filmmakers spend time ... See full summary »
Director: Beryl Fox | Stars: Bernard Fall, Thai Nguyen
Votes: 21
19. Satan's Choice (1965)
28 min | Documentary, Short
A rare "inside" view of a motorcycle club in Toronto. The names they adopt (Satan's Choice is only one) are as individual as their special ethics and views of life, all freely expressed in this film.
Director: Donald Shebib | Stars: Howard Doyle Berry, Lorne Campbell, Bernie Guindon, Rod MacLeod
Votes: 33
20. Les montréalistes (1965)
28 min | Documentary, Short
A look back at the small band of missionaries that founded the city of Montréal, Canada.
Director: Denys Arcand | Stars: Gilles Marsolais, Gisèle Trépanier
Votes: 20
22. High Steel (1965)
14 min | Documentary, Short
A very engaging short documentary of how a native Indian from Quebec works building skyscrapers in New York City, with breathtaking shots of walking on narrow beams 25 stories in the air, ... See full summary »
Director: Don Owen | Star: Don Francks
Votes: 90
23. Never a Backward Step (1966)
57 min | Documentary
A profile of press tycoon and businessman, Lord Thomson.
Directors: Donald Brittain, Arthur Hammond, John Spotton | Star: Lord Thomson of Fleet
24. Blades and Brass (1967)
10 min | Documentary, Short, Sport
A look at the 1967 National Hockey League season.
Director: William Canning
Votes: 23
26. Impressions of... EXPO 67 (1967)
8 min | Documentary, Short
A series of attractive images taken at Expo 67 (the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal.) The film captures buildings, visitors, and riding on new forms of transportation, including the monorail and the hovercraft
Director: Bill Brind
Votes: 33
27. Memorandum (1966)
58 min | Documentary
A Jewish Holocaust survivor travels through Germany recalling scenes from his memory.
Directors: Donald Brittain, John Spotton | Stars: Bernard Laufer, Emil Bednarek, Wilhelm Boger, Arthur Breitwieser
Votes: 76
28. Ride for Your Life (1967)
10 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Robin Spry | Star: Mike Duff
Votes: 12
29. The Things I Cannot Change (1967)
55 min | Documentary
Director: Tanya Tree | Stars: Gertrude Bailey, Kenneth Bailey
Votes: 59
30. The Times That Are (1967)
118 min | Documentary
Four years after Of Whales, the Moon, and Men (1963), the director 'Pierre Perrault' ask Alexis Tremblay if he agreed to travel with his wife Marie in the country of their ancestors, France... See full summary »
Director: Pierre Perrault | Stars: Alexis Tremblay, Marie Tremblay, Léopold Tremblay, Marie-Paule Tremblay
Votes: 78
32. The Rise and Fall of the Great Lakes (1968)
17 min | Short, Comedy
Both a documentary and a comedy. It features a man on a canoe tour of the Great Lakes while the geological time frame changes around him. He finds himself atop the great glacier, and then ... See full summary »
Director: Bill Mason | Star: Blake James
Votes: 80
33. Twenty-four Hours in Czechoslovakia (1968)
57 min | Documentary
A North American hockey star visits his family in Czechoslovakia where the camera follows him for a day.
Director: David Bairstow | Star: Stan Mikita
34. The Triumphant Union and the Canadian Confederation: 1863-1867 (1969)
59 min | Documentary, History
As the United States struggles not to fall apart during the Civil War, Canada struggles to pull itself together and become a Confederation.
Directors: Ronald Dick, Pierre L'Amare | Star: J. Frank Willis
35. Atonement (1971)
51 min | Documentary
This documentary captures the endeavors of Canadian wildlife experts to preserve and protect animals that have managed to survive human development in the region. These species include the ... See full summary »
Director: Michael McKennirey | Star: Alexander Scourby
36. Death of a Legend (1971)
60 min | Documentary
Documentary about the history of wolves in Canada. Describes how legends and misconceptions nearly led to their extinction and the efforts to reverse this trend.
Director: Bill Mason | Stars: Stanley Jackson, Blake James
Votes: 20
38. Temples of Time (1971)
27 min | Documentary, Short
The natural wonder of the Canadian Rockies and Garibaldi Park in British Columbia.
Director: William Canning
Votes: 12
39. Québec: Duplessis et après... (1972)
121 min | Documentary, History
A documentary about Maurice Duplessis and the quebec nationalism which to new levels after the death of this Premier of the Province of Quebec. The director used the electoral campaigns of ... See full summary »
Director: Denys Arcand | Stars: Robin Spry, Gisèle Trépanier, Denys Arcand, Robert Bourassa
Votes: 53
41. Cry of the Wild (1973)
PG | 89 min | Documentary
The startling and intimate behavior of wolves both in the wilderness and in captivity are shown in this film which was years in the making.
Director: Bill Mason | Star: Bill Mason
Votes: 61 | Gross: $10.90M
43. International Operations (1973)
29 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Arthur Hammond | Star: Arthur Hammond
47. The Streets of Saigon (1973)
29 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Michael Rubbo | Star: Stephen Erhart
49. Another Side of the Forest (1974)
20 min | Documentary, Short
This documentary looks at developments in the Canadian forestry industry from the 1970s. Turning a Newfoundland bog into woodland, fostering British Columbia seedlings that withstand ... See full summary »
Directors: Raoul Fox, Strowan Robertson
50. Cree Hunters of Mistassini (1974)
58 min | Documentary
Since times predating agriculture, Cree First Nations people have gone to the bush of the James Bay and Ungava Bay area to hunt.
Directors: Tony Ianzelo, Boyce Richardson | Stars: Boyce Richardson, Sam Blacksmith, Ronnie Jolly, Glen Speers
Votes: 27
51. Man Belongs to the Earth (1974)
23 min | Documentary, Short
Made for screening at the U.S. Pavilion at the 1974 World's Fair in Spokane Washington, USA, which had a Native-American environmental theme, MAN BELONGS TO THE EARTH depicts the history of... See full summary »
Director: Graeme Ferguson | Stars: Chief Dan George, James Whitmore
52. Waiting for Fidel (1974)
58 min | Documentary
Documentary about a film crew's failed attempt at interviewing Fidel Castro while in Cuba.
Director: Michael Rubbo | Stars: Fidel Castro, Erich Honecker, Bernabe Ordez, Michael Rubbo
Votes: 133
53. Wolf Pack (1974)
20 min | Documentary, Short
The wolf's characteristics are observed.
Director: Bill Mason
Votes: 9
56. Los Canadienses (1975)
58 min | Documentary, History, War
A film about the Canadians who participated in the Spanish Civil War.
Director: Albert Kish | Stars: Donald Brittain, Lib Spry, Kate Bader, Hugh Garner
Votes: 11
57. The Forest Watchers (1975)
26 min | Documentary, Short
The documentary delves into pressing challenges confronting the Canadian forestry industry, including deforestation, pest control measures, and the escalating threat of wildfires.
Director: Peter Raymont
Votes: 7
60. Musicanada (1975)
58 min | Music, Documentary
Directors: Malca Gillson, Tony Ianzelo | Stars: Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Mario Bernardi, Georg Tintner, One Third Ninth
62. On est au coton (1970)
173 min | Documentary
Director Denys Arcand made an inquiry on textile industry in Quebec, meeting employers and workers of that industry.
Director: Denys Arcand | Stars: Denys Arcand, Jean-Paul Beaudry, Carmen Bertrand, Jean-Jacques Bertrand
Votes: 87
63. The Other World (1976)
19 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Claudia Overing | Star: Sharry Flett
64. A Sense of Place (1976)
57 min | Documentary
People deal with the problems of rural to urban migration.
Director: René Bonnière | Star: Barry Morse
65. I Hate to Lose (1977)
57 min | Documentary
Director: Michael Rubbo | Stars: Michael Rubbo, William Weintraub
67. The Art of the Possible (1978)
58 min | Documentary
A film crew follows a provincial government cabinet in a behind the scenes look at its political activities.
Director: Peter Raymont | Stars: Peter Raymont, William G. Davis
Votes: 7
68. The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors (1978)
57 min | Documentary
Director: Donald Brittain | Star: Donald Brittain
Votes: 19
Part 1 & 2 Both released in 1978.
69. The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power (1978)
56 min | Documentary
Director: Donald Brittain | Stars: Donald Brittain, Marc Lalonde, René Lévesque, Gérard Pelletier
Votes: 19
Part 1 & 2 Both released in 1978.
71. The Point (1978)
48 min | Documentary
One hour documentary portrait of a working class neighborhood in Montreal, Point St Charles.
Director: Robert A. Duncan | Star: Budd Knapp
Votes: 57
72. Reflections on a Leadership Convention (1978)
21 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Peter Raymont | Star: Peter Raymont
75. The Biosphere (1979)
57 min | Documentary
An examination of the biosphere between Canada's MacKenzie River and the Amazon River valleys.
Director: William Pettigrew | Star: Richard Thomas
76. Has Anybody Here Seen Canada? A History of Canadian Movies 1939-1953 (1979 TV Movie)
85 min | Documentary, History
Director: John Kramer | Stars: Michael Kane, Evelyn Cherry, Leo Choquette, F.R. Crawley
Votes: 49
77. Richard Rohmer and His Referendum: A View from Quebec (1979)
58 min | Documentary
Director: Jacques Bensimon | Stars: Jacques Beaulieu, Jean Brousseau, Louis Dallaire, Sylvia Gariépy
78. The Unbroken Line (1979)
29 min | Documentary, Short, History
The history of the Governor-General post in Canada.
Director: Diane Beaudry | Star: Michael Kane
79. Bush Pilot: Reflections on a Canadian Myth (1980)
23 min | Short, Documentary
Directors: Norma Bailey, Robert Lower | Star: Brian Richardson
Votes: 8
80. From the Ashes of War (1980)
30 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Michael McKennirey | Star: Budd Knapp
81. The Lost Pharaoh: The Search for Akhenaten (1980)
57 min | Documentary
Dr. Donald Redford, Univ. Of Toronto & Penn State, reveals the formative years of Akhenaten via uncovered inscriptions and art.
Director: Nicholas Kendall | Stars: Donald Brittain, Donald Redford
Votes: 10
82. The New Mayor (1980)
38 min | Documentary, Short
When Mayor Stephen Juba of Winnipeg unexpectedly resigned after twenty-one years, the race for his office was thrown wide open. The two leading contenders were Bill Norrie and Robert Steen.... See full summary »
Directors: Ian Elkin, Robert Lower, Derek Mazur | Stars: Bill Norrie, Brian Richardson, Robert Steen
83. The Canadian Federation (1981)
Documentary
Director: Joan Henson | Stars: Vlasta Vrana, Stephen Mendel, Jean Louis Belliveau, Pierre Bourgault
84. On Guard for Thee, Part 1: The Most Dangerous Spy (1981)
57 min | Documentary, History
The film retelling of the Soviet clerk Igor Gouzenko's defection and his revelation of soviet spy activities in North America and its impact.
Director: Donald Brittain | Stars: Donald Brittain, Larry Reynolds
85. On Guard for Thee, Part 2: A Blanket of Ice (1981)
57 min | Documentary
Director: Donald Brittain | Stars: Donald Brittain, Larry Reynolds
86. On Guard for Thee, Part 3: Shadows of a Horseman (1981)
57 min | Documentary
Director: Donald Brittain | Star: Donald Brittain
87. China: A Land Transformed (1980)
26 min | Documentary, Short
Directors: Tony Ianzelo, Boyce Richardson
88. North China Commune (1980)
81 min | Documentary
Directors: Tony Ianzelo, Boyce Richardson | Star: Donald Sutherland
Votes: 6
89. North China Factory (1980)
57 min | Documentary
Directors: Tony Ianzelo, Boyce Richardson | Star: Donald Sutherland
Votes: 6
91. In Search of Farley Mowat (1981)
58 min | Documentary
Director: Andy Thomson | Stars: Earl Pennington, Terrence Labrosse
92. Le confort et l'indifférence (1982)
109 min | Documentary
Made shortly after the referendum on Quebec's independence was held, this documentary illustrates what the politicians' promises were and how the population did not really care nor truly ... See full summary »
Director: Denys Arcand | Stars: Jean-Pierre Ronfard, Raymond Barre, Pierre Brodeur, Monique Bégin
Votes: 228
Comfort and Indifference
93. The Road to Patriation (1982)
94 min | Documentary, History
The story of Canada's struggle to gain control and define its own constitution.
Director: Robert A. Duncan | Star: Alan Maitland
94. Taxi! (1982)
57 min | Documentary
A documentary which examines one of the city's most noticeable yet most nameless character: the taxi driver.
Director: Barry Greenwald | Star: Cedric Smith
Votes: 19
95. Beyond the North Wind (1983)
52 min | Documentary
Expedition members Danny Osborne, Gerry Wardell and John O'Mara with administrator Phillipa Kidd prepare an expedition. Scenes in offices raising sponsorship from many sponsors. Production ... See full synopsis »
Director: John O'Mara | Stars: Phillipa Kidd, John O'Mara, Danny Osborne, Gerry Wardell
96. The Road to Total War (1983)
57 min | Documentary, History, War
The history of the development of the concept of total war and its growing escalation of scope and destructiveness.
Directors: Barbara Sears, Michael Bryans, Marrin Canell, Paul Cowan, Douglas Kiefer, Tina Viljoen | Star: Gwynne Dyer
Votes: 14
97. Starlife (1983)
20 min | Documentary, Short
A film about the life cycle of stars in their various varieties.
Director: Sidney Goldsmith | Star: Paul Hughes
98. Incident at Restigouche (1984)
46 min | Documentary
Documentary about a 1981 raid by the Quebec Provincial Police on a reserve in Quebec.
Director: Alanis Obomsawin | Stars: Alanis Obomsawin, Steve Kowch, Lucien Lessard
Votes: 55
99. The Canadian Observer: An Introduction to Hugh MacLennan (1985)
26 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Robert A. Duncan | Stars: Robert A. Duncan, Hugh MacLennan
100. British Columbia: The Rockies to the Pacific (1986)
30 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Michael Collier | Star: Art Hives
Tell Your Friends