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The Pacifist Who Went to War

2002 51 min
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This documentary is the story of two Mennonite brothers from Manitoba who were forced to make a decision in 1939, as Canada joined World War II. In the face of 400 years of pacifist tradition, should they now go to war? Ted became a conscientious objector while his brother went into military service. Fifty years later, the town of Winkler dedicates its first war memorial and John begins to share his war experiences with Ted.

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The Pacifist Who Went to War

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This documentary is the story of two Mennonite brothers from Manitoba who were forced to make a decision in 1939, as Canada joined World War II. In the face of 400 years of pacifist tradition, should they now go to war? Ted became a conscientious objector while his brother went into military service. Fifty years later, the town of Winkler dedicates its first war memorial and John begins to share his war experiences with Ted.
  • director
    David Neufeld
  • narration - writer
    Kenneth George Godwin
    David Neufeld
  • producer
    Joe MacDonald
  • executive producer
    Graydon McCrea
  • editor
    Kenneth George Godwin
  • narrator
    Margaret Nagle
  • original music composer
    Randolph Peters
  • cinematographer
    Claude Savard
  • music performer
    Randolph Peters
    Yuri Hooker
    Arkadiusz Tesarczyk
  • additional cinematography
    Trevor Wilson
  • assistant camera
    Gabriel Lévesque
    Mike Yaremchuk
    Chris Spelay
    Andrew Coppin
  • location sound
    Jay Garuk
  • additional sound
    Larry MacDonald
    Jeff Henschel
  • key grip
    John Holowka
  • grip
    Bruce Claydon
  • makeup artist
    Cindy Smith
    Jennifer Machnee
  • research
    Jan King
    Louise Moyes
  • consultant
    Norma Bailey
    Patricia Bailey
  • production manager
    Sandra Moore
  • publicity stills
    Rob Barrow
  • sound editor
    Saul Henteleff
  • re-recording engineer
    Bruce Little
  • music recording
    John Schritt
  • online editor
    Tony Wytinck
  • production assistant
    Melanie Coad
    Monique Perron
  • production supervisor
    Scott Collins
  • production clerk
    Rolande Petit
  • program administrator
    Cyndi Forcand
  • video post-production
    Midcanada Productions Services

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Education

Ages 15 to 17
School subjects
Have students name famous pacifists throughout history. Explain to the class who the Mennonites are and why it is that war especially impacts their lives. Hold a class debate on whether young men and women should be exempted from military service in the time of war because of their religious beliefs. Read the poem ."The Pacifist" by Hilaire Belloc.
The Pacifist Who Went to War
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