The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility

The Kid Who Couldn't Miss

Paul Cowan's feature-length film combines fiction and reality to tell the story of how William Avery (Billy) Bishop became one of the leading fighter pilots of World War I. By no accounts a biography of Billy Bishop, the film uses a 'docu-drama' approach to show how one person goes from being a brash kid from Ontario to Canada's most decorated military figure.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.

Details

Paul Cowan's feature-length film combines fiction and reality to tell the story of how William Avery (Billy) Bishop became one of the leading fighter pilots of World War I. By no accounts a biography of Billy Bishop, the film uses a 'docu-drama' approach to show how one person goes from being a brash kid from Ontario to Canada's most decorated military figure.

War, Conflict and Peace All subjects
  • director
    Paul Cowan
  • producer
    Paul Cowan
  • camera
    Paul Cowan
  • executive producer
    Adam Symansky
  • sound
    Richard Nichol
    James McCarthy
  • editing
    Paul Cowan
    Sidonie Kerr
  • sound editing
    Jackie Newell
  • re-recording
    Jean-Pierre Joutel
    Adrian Croll
  • animation
    Meilan Lam
  • narrator
    William Hutt
  • music
    Ben Low
  • cast
    Eric Peterson
    John Gray

Education

Ages 15 to 17
School subjects
History - World War I
Pre-viewing: Define “docu-drama” and consider how this genre differs from documentary. Brainstorm students’ prior knowledge of World War I and Canadian flying ace Billy Bishop. Discuss the term “dog fighting,” as it was used during this war. Discuss the relevance of the following quote: “Because Bishop flew many of his patrols alone, most of his victories were never witnessed”, (source). Have students comment on the mystery surrounding Bishop’s supposed raid on Estourmel near the end of World War I.

More educational content

The Kid Who Couldn't Miss
Purchase options
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licensing information
Download-to-own (DTO) licence detail
Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted.

Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.)

Institutional licence

To purchase an institutional licence or to buy a film that is not available for DTO or VOD on the platform, please contact us.

The institutional price includes the rights to screen the film in institutional settings and at free public screenings.

Additional instructions

DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices.

Explore