The National Film Board of Canada invites you to glimpse into the hearts and minds of World War I participants with a new film, Front Lines, by Claude Guilmain. At the heart of this outstanding work that commemorates the 90th anniversary of the Armistice are letters written from the front by soldiers and a nurse. Interwoven with archival images, the words of these people show us the private face of war. Five vignettes from the film are available free online, with the NFB planning a variety of public commemorative events across the country.
Remembrance Day is the perfect time to learn about the First World War, as well as other major conflicts. Rediscover this hidden past via the NFB's rich archival collection: hand-picked films streamed on the Internet and fascinating Web sites on both world wars, offering more than 200 films free online, as well as photos and articles by Canadian historians.
By participating in this Armistice commemoration with Front Lines, the NFB has given the filmmaker a chance to mark an event of national importance by breathing new life into archival material. This project is a striking example of the NFB's role as Canada's public producer, highlighting our country's cultural wealth. Join us for the November 11 commemorations.
Front Lines by Claude Guilmain
A tribute to the Canadian combatants in the First World War: Through words and images, five soldiers and a nurse show us the private face of war.
The NFB's outstanding artistic commemoration of the Armistice 90 years on.
A First World War chronicle evoked by archival images and moving letters written home by five soldiers and a nurse. Ninety years after the Armistice, this new film breathes life into anonymous archival images so that we experience the conflict from the inside. Voices describe the everyday experience of war, a mingling of pride, hope, dedication, fatigue, fright and pain. Professional actors read the poignant words written by five soldiers and a nurse, aged 23 to 31.
Release and screenings of Front Lines
Images of a forgotten War
Films on the role of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the Great War.
Texts, a photo collection, diaries and letters. Rare audiovisual archives online.
At nfb.ca/ww1, discover essays by Canadian historians of the First World War, a photo collection, soldiers' letters and diary extracts, posters and newspaper cuttings from the time, maps to situate the battles, as well as an extensive bibliography.
On all fronts — World War II and the NFB
Films, film clips and archival artifacts from the Second World War selected by NFB experts.
Filmed interviews and lesson plans for teachers
At On All Fronts — World War II and the NFB, discover some of the National Film Board of Canada's collection about the Second World War. Experienced by millions of people, both soldiers and civilians, this war was recorded in many ways and has recently attracted the attention of contemporary filmmakers.
The private face of war
This DVD will be available as of November 11, 2008
Five Canadian soldiers and a nurse in the First World War are brought to life by their moving letters home, set against evocative archival footage. Ninety years after the Armistice, these documents take us to the heart of the war.
This DVD also contains five documentary vignettes: Nurses at the Front, The Officer's Role, The Life of the Soldier, Faith and Hope and The Trenches.
From 1939 to 1945, thousands of women joined the workforce to participate in the production of fighter planes at Fort William's Canadian Car and Foundry.
The story of Canada and Canadians during World War II. Six years that deeply changed Canadian society and its altered presence on the world stage.
War never really ends. Stories from France, Bosnia, Russia and Vietnam reveal the human suffering caused by chemicals, toxins, land mines and unexploded artillery. • Winner of multiple international awards, including a UNESCO Prize in 2002.
The dramatic records of unprecedented victories by the Canadian Army in WWI.
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow…” So begins one of the world's most famous war poems, written by Dr. John McCrae, born in Guelph, Ontario. He was rocked by the death of his friend in the terrible 1915 Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium.
A portrait of Sam Hughes, Canada's WWI Minister of Militia, who, despite his reputation as a self-aggrandizing, profiteering bigot, built a formidable military. Narrated by Paul Gross.
