Coal Face, Canada
1943
20 min
Coming soon
A young man, discharged from the army, returns to his coal town. As he wanders the streets, he sees that life remains much as he left it. He takes a room with a miner who had known his father and who recalls the tragedy of his death in the mines. When the young dischargee attends a union meeting he hears the labourers speak of their relation to the war effort and, realizing the importance of coal to victory, he joins a night shift and goes to work in the mine.
Details
A young man, discharged from the army, returns to his coal town. As he wanders the streets, he sees that life remains much as he left it. He takes a room with a miner who had known his father and who recalls the tragedy of his death in the mines. When the young dischargee attends a union meeting he hears the labourers speak of their relation to the war effort and, realizing the importance of coal to victory, he joins a night shift and goes to work in the mine.
-
directorRobert Edmonds
-
producerGraham McInnes
-
cameraJoseph Braun
-
soundGordon Fraser
-
editingHelen Lewis
-
musicLouis Applebaum
Education
Ages 14 to 16
History - World War II
Media Education - Popular Culture
Social Studies - Canadian Politics and Government
In wartime, many different methods are used to maintain public morale and justify the actions of the armed forces. Have students recreate the context and find the real, everyday meaning of the term “war effort” (e.g., war factories, Victory Bonds, income taxes). Since some people view propaganda as education, ask students to find examples of propaganda in current local or international politics.
