William Shatner Sings O Canada

William Shatner Sings O Canada

| 5 min

When William Shatner gets a Lifetime Achievement Award from Canada's Governor General, he shows appreciation as only Shatner can. In this short film, the most famous space cadet in showbiz takes helm of our heritage and treats us to a memorable rendition of Canada's national anthem.

Produced by the National Film Board of Canada in co-operation with the National Arts Centre and the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation on the occasion of the 2011 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards.

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William Shatner Sings O Canada , Jacob Medjuck, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • recipient
    William Shatner
  • writer
    Jacob Medjuck
  • director
    Jacob Medjuck
  • producer
    Paul McNeill
  • production manager
    Isaac Feder
  • director of photography
    Jeffery Waldron
  • editor
    David Willinsky
  • sound recordist
    Brian Sorbo
  • sound editor
    Peter Eliuk
  • camera operator
    Chris Chambers
  • gaffer
    Jeff Powers
  • first assistant camera trainee
    David Lassiter
    Alex Disenhof
  • hairstylist
    Patricia Rocha
  • makeup artist
    Jennifer Donnish
  • teleprompter operator
    Mike Ramirez
  • production assistant
    Rance Russo
  • production supervisor
    Candice Desormeaux
  • stills photographer
    Jordan Ancel
  • transcription services
    Heetesh Patel
  • translation services
    Michel Tremblay
  • music - arrangement
    Darren Fung
  • music - performance
    Darren Fung
  • post-production coordinator
    France Couture
  • title design
    Mélanie Bouchard
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • graphics
    Mélanie Bouchard
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • online editor
    Denis Pilon
  • re-recording mixer
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • production coordinator
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
  • marketing manager
    Kelly Fox
  • administration
    John William Lutz
  • executive producer
    Ravida Din
 See also
Film and Video Arts
Canada - Images of a Country
Music
Arts
Media and Communication
All subjects
Canadian Jewish Heritage Month
Governor General's Awards
Featured Films
Fascinating People
All channels
Add a new comment
  • BarbEastveld

    So refreshingingly frank ! Oh Canada does need a tune-up. Some are bound to take offence. They take themselves too seriously. Dignity is all very well, but my grandad and uncles also fought in the Wars to guarantee our right to be silly and laugh at ourselves. Without a sense of humour what are we?

    BarbEastveld, 29 Mar 2013
  • Nicholenlee

    I watched it, and was amused for about thirty seconds. Shatner displays great insensitivity towards people's feelings and values. Does free speech always mean offending everyone you can think of? What a stupid society we have become.

    Nicholenlee, 24 Mar 2013
  • pgmisha

    ...very funny ...Shatner has a good sense of self effacing humour

    pgmisha, 22 Mar 2013
  • Treehugger

    Its very funny. Thanks again Bill for bringing yet another smile and laugh into my life.

    Treehugger, 27 Jun 2012
  • Abegweit

    Can we take he award back ..... please? I mean - really what is he getting one for anyway. His career is in the US, not here.

    Abegweit, 26 Apr 2012
  • bscorber

    Very clever and funny Way to go Jacob!

    bscorber, 18 Nov 2011
  • tripletoes

    Absolutely hilarious! Thanks! I love my country!

    tripletoes, 16 Nov 2011
  • DCBJ

    Couldn't get it to play! I'd love to hear it!

    DCBJ, 9 Nov 2011
  • MikeMagnan

    Nice Job Jacob! I hope we run into each other one day....fun fun stuff.,

    MikeMagnan, 4 Jun 2011
  • MikeMagnan

    Funny bastard.....I love this dude. I think the director should take a lot of credit for egging Bill on the way he did...he was just as funny. Well done folks. I've only watched it about 20 times today.....But I'm sure I think it's cool.

    MikeMagnan, 4 Jun 2011
  • Redpalaceeaglebullsox

    I wonder if we in the USA would react in the same manner if a similar treatment was done with "THe Star Spangled Banner."

    Redpalaceeaglebullsox, 27 May 2011
  • Redpalaceeaglebullsox

    This video completely validates my being one of Mr. Shatner's nominators for this award. Yes, you are a true Canadian!

    Redpalaceeaglebullsox, 27 May 2011
  • Shawn

    Canadians poking fun at Canada is one of the things that most defines us, as a nation. I lost relatives in WWII, too. My family put their lives on the line, in combat, across the European theatre. So what? What on earth has any of that to do with Mr. Shatner having a bit of good-natured fun on a day when he is being honoured as a great Canadian. Bravo.

    Shawn, 22 May 2011
  • Dphilsi

    A country that can laugh at itself shows the world it's confidence in its own national identity. Well done Oh Canada and Mr Shatner for bringing a bit of humor in to what is actually a very important award. As a Scot living in England I can assure you that the rest of us think that Canada is an amazing country inhabited by friendly and humorous people. I hope one day I'll be able to visit your country.

    Dphilsi, 22 May 2011
  • gstewart

    I find this extremely offensive on so many levels. How could anyone think this would be ok. Yes, maybe we are not as flag waving as pur neighbours to the south but can you imagine anyone making a farce of thier national anthem? Remember what happened to Rosanne Barr? As a son of a vet of the 2nd world war I am incensed. William Shatner should have known better.

    gstewart, 21 May 2011
  • truvei

    Simply "Fabulous"! ...And... It's great to live in a country where we have the freedom to have a little fun with our anthem!

    truvei, 21 May 2011
  • Rengaw

    BIll, I love Star Trek because of you and Spock and Bones, I love Canada cause I was born here and it's fabulous and I love listening to you talk even while reciting the national hymm Oh Canada, you are Amazing, Congratz on your GG Award. Cheers!

    Rengaw, 21 May 2011
  • Nis

    I couldn't say this better than Islander so I'm copying him (credited) completely: "Thanks, NFB, for sharing this priceless and hilarious tribute to Canada. Mr Shatner is bang-on and very funny. Congrats, Sir, on your lifetime achievement award.”

    Nis, 21 May 2011
  • David_Snyder_Lumierist

    I would like to know if the NFB publishes and opinions contrary to the opinions of those thinking Mr Shatners making fun of our national hymn is just the greatest thing. As an artist I resent it because my family members died defending our country Canada and Oh Canada is our national anthem and demands respect. If I had been asked (NOT A CHANCE) I would have declined for reason stated. I thought he had more class. Now NFB,,will you publish this,,we will see!

    David_Snyder_Lumierist, 20 May 2011
  • propwash

    In the early 1970's in the forces I saw some old black and white RCAF officer training films with a very young Shatner playing the role of a rookie officer. Hopefully these still exist.

    propwash, 20 May 2011
  • David_Snyder_Lumierist

    Laugh with,laugh at our Canada,but my folks died for it and I resent anyone making fun or humor by screwing up our national anthem. It takes ZERO talent to do that

    David_Snyder_Lumierist, 20 May 2011
  • Acresscott

    On Saturday night William Shatner signed my daughter's Star Trek anthology. She is an 11 year old, dedicated Trekkie and going to the Governor General's Awards Gala was her birthday present. Her delight in Mr. Shatner's version of O Canada and the magnificent celebration of Canadian Arts have made this video and that night a permanent memory for me. How incredible it is to be Canadian, no matter how we sing it!

    Acresscott, 18 May 2011
  • Islander

    Thanks, NFB, for sharing this priceless and hilarious tribute to Canada. Mr Shatner is bang-on and very funny. Congrats, Sir, on your lifetime achievement award.

    Islander, 17 May 2011
  • Nikko

    Mr. Shatner gives us a long-term, cool galactic perspective on zenophobic nationalism and diminishing fundamentalism by presenting his version of our Canadian anthem...Congratulations on your Lifetime Achievement Award ...Mazel Tov!!

    Nikko, 17 May 2011
  • steveburghardt

    I can't say I've been a huge fan of all the Mr Shatner has done in his career but after watching this video I realize the man has a real great sense of humour and a hilarious dead pan delivery. This video truly made me laugh and I'm proud to say he is one of us. Congrat's on your Lifetime Achievement Award sir!

    steveburghardt, 17 May 2011
  • frubens

    I am so honoured to be a Canadian. I think Bill exemplifies our ability to smile and laugh at ourself. Thank you.

    frubens, 16 May 2011
  • rolandQmtl

    Mr Shatner, you came to the US to share Canada's best, and I came to your (our) beloved Montreal. This American-Canadian proudly salutes the finest Canadian-American . Congratulations on the well -deserved Governor General"s award. You are loved in both countries. From a life-long Trekkie! "Beam me up".

    rolandQmtl, 15 May 2011
  • foreverdlm

    Oh Mr. Shatner, Please do the same en Français so I can use it in my French classes. So well done.

    foreverdlm, 15 May 2011
  • SL

    Can't wait for the next season of "Bleep My Dad Says" My favorite show on TV -- so funny. SHATNER, YOU ROCK!!!

    SL, 15 May 2011

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