Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks

  • TV Movie
  • 1985
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
20
YOUR RATING
Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks (1985)
BiographyDocumentary

Add a plot in your language

  • Director
    • Donald Brittain
  • Writers
    • Donald Brittain
    • Richard Nielsen
  • Stars
    • Peter Boretski
    • Donald Brittain
    • Maury Chaykin
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    20
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Donald Brittain
    • Writers
      • Donald Brittain
      • Richard Nielsen
    • Stars
      • Peter Boretski
      • Donald Brittain
      • Maury Chaykin
    • 2User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos

    Top cast15

    Edit
    Peter Boretski
    Peter Boretski
    Donald Brittain
    • Narrator
    Maury Chaykin
    Maury Chaykin
    • Harold Chamberlain Banks
    Frank Crudele
    Frank Crudele
    • Reporter
    Tony De Santis
    Tony De Santis
    • Accountant
    Jason Dean
    Marie-Hélène Fontaine
    Colin Fox
    Colin Fox
    Sean McCann
    Sean McCann
    Gary Reineke
    Gary Reineke
    Larry Reynolds
    Larry Reynolds
    Chuck Shamata
    Chuck Shamata
    Barry Stevens
    R.H. Thomson
    R.H. Thomson
    Jonathan Welsh
    • Director
      • Donald Brittain
    • Writers
      • Donald Brittain
      • Richard Nielsen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    8.420
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    cfc_can

    Social Studies Lesson

    This film is a true life account of Hal Banks, an Al Capone-like union leader who practically ran the Canadian shipping industry with an iron fist in the 50s and 60s. The film explores his rise to power through physical force as well as the many political contacts he made along the way which no doubt helped ensure his success. The film comes off as realistic but on the other hand, it has a 60 Minutes like feel which pervades throughout. Much of the action takes place in black and white. For a Canadian film, it boasts a half-decent budget and it is professionally made. The film's greatest asset is the casting of Maury Chaykin in the title role. Chaykin not only displays his considerable talents as an actor but also delivers the explosiveness and intimidation required to make this character real. It's one of his few lead roles which seems odd given his versatility. The film as a whole is overlong at almost two hours. Though it sometimes feels like a Social Studies lesson, it does show an unusual side of Canadian history.
    willett-c

    Looking for this movie

    Does anyone know where I can but this movie? I have looked high and low with no results. It seems to be in circulation somewhere because I see a lot of current reviews on this movie. It has was given four awards in 1985, how does a great award winning movie just disappear off the shelves and internet all together? I have hunch that I will have to purchase this out of a personal collection. If you know anyone who is willing to sell a piece of Canadian History I would greatly appreciate a message with their contact information. One of the main Characters is a relative of mine and it would be great to see his background. Thank you for your help.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in Donald Brittain: Filmmaker (1995)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 8, 1985 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • NFB (english) (Canada)
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
      • National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$1,138,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 55m(115 min)
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.