Helicopter Canada

I saw this film when I was in school shortly after it was released, in a school gym, on a 16 mm Bell and Howell projector. It was magical, this country of ours, revealed to us from the point of view of a bird. At least that's what it was to me, never mind the helicopter. Today I decided to view it again, to see how I would react over 50 years later.

This time, it was the beauty of our country that stood out to me, not the aerial photography. Wow! And the up-beat varied engaging narrative that went along with it. For example, the part about the men fishing for monsters of the deep had me going for a few seconds.

I was interested now as an adult in the director's choice of WHAT parts of Canada to feature, flying from coast to coast---a formidable task, indeed. But, even though the oil derricks and foothills cattle ranches of Alberta were not highlighted for me, I thought that the film brought out some of the most interesting and beautiful sights to behold in our great country, and would most likely make a fitting travelogue, even today.

It captured 60s history as well, in the fleeting clip of the gleaming silver Dayliner/ Budd car making its way along the CPR track in southern Alberta. The narrative inspired pride in our country, and that's what impressed me the most today.

A reviewer of this film did not enjoy the children's dialogue in parts of the film, but as a retired elementary teacher, I loved their thinking and observations. It gave the film 'interest' and relevance for children, I believe. All Alberta Grade Five students, I believe, should see this documentary as they study the regions of our great country.

So yes, I still love it, and believe that the film still has merit for what it set out to achieve.... IMHO of course. :)