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Prairie Winter

Directed by Jenny Brown Gilbertson and Evelyn Spice Cherry
Canada / United Kingdom, 1935 (documentary, 17 minutes)

Film Description:
"A winter's day in the life of a prairie farmer in Saskatchewan."
-- British Film Institute (source)

Film Credits (partial):
Cinematography: John Gilbertson
(sources)

Quotes about Prairie Winter

"In 1934, with Scottish filmmaker, Jenny Brown, [Evelyn] Spice travelled back to Canada to make Prairie Winter, a dramatized film about daily life in the Canadian north. Released in 1935, the film was intended to debunk the romanticized notions of prairie life depicted by the railway and steamship lines to lure prospective immigrants. Prairie Winter was one of the first Canadian films to be exhibited theatrically in England."
-- Barbara Evans (source)

"Prairie Winter is a striking departure from earlier films shot in Western Canada. Unlike the material commissioned by Canadian immigration officials to draw settlers to the area, it is a realistic picture of winter on the prairies. The wind and blown snow, the horse-drawn wagons moving through deep drifts, the laundry hanging frozen on the line—these stark black and white images speak eloquently of the harsh conditions endured by the people who settled and eventually prospered in the region."
-- Yvette Hackett (source)

"Such a faithful and altogether convincing record of winter life on the Canadian prairies that criticism is mere quibbling. [...] Made with all the acute observation of two women who are also well-known documentary film directors [...]."
-- Monthly Film Bulletin (source)

"'Prairie Winter' is the title of a documentary moving picture filmed at Yorkton, Sask. last winter by Evelyn Spice and Jenny Brown, of London. Miss Spice was formerly of Yorkton and Regina, and is now with the General Post Office Films, London. 'Prairie Winter' had its trade showing in London and won high praise. Rivals of the G.P.O. films conceded that the film was excellent and would have, in all probability, a successful run."
-- Regina Leader-Post (source)

Bibliography for Prairie Winter

Articles from Newspapers, Magazines, or News Websites


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