The Wild Shore 2005
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Deb Proc
Directed by Tom Radford
VHS, color, 55 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Canadian Studies
Date Entered: 01/15/2007
Reviewed by Marianne D. Muha, E. H. Butler Library, State University of New York College at BuffaloThis video, part of the Great Northern Wilderness series, is a stunning look at Canada’s eastern coastline. The areas of Labrador, Newfoundland, and the St. Lawrence River are examined closely and include beautiful filming of the animal and plant life found there.
The animal life includes polar bears, ringed seals, walrus, moose, caribou, wolves, red and arctic foxes, bullfrogs, painted turtles, reptiles, Atlantic salmon, mussels, clams, scallops, black and white common murres, kittiwakes, puffins, and termagants, Eastern bluebird, ruby throated hummingbirds, double crested cormorants, and Canada geese. The narrator describes the feeding, breeding and migratory patterns of each species.
The plant life includes black spruce trees, lichen, mosses, red and white pines, monarch and painted lady butterflies, pitcher plants, wild and rare orchids, lady slippers, red columbine and dwarf iris.
The narration also includes information about the early peoples who inhabited the wild and forbidding wilderness. Also included is information on the explorer Jacques Cartier who braved the treacherous area in search of riches for his king.
This film is recommended for libraries with Canadian studies collections.