Donald Brittain

Donald Brittain

Donald Brittain, a revered Canadian figure, remains cherished for his genuine nature and unparalleled storytelling. He created over 100 acclaimed films, like "Volcano" (1976) portraying Malcolm Lowry and "Paperland" (1979) exposing Canadian bureaucrats. His breakthrough came with "Fields of Sacrifice" (1963), marking a shift in his career. Brittain's legacy isn't just his films; his camaraderie and perfectionism left a lasting impact at the National Film Board. Two decades after his passing, his absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.

  • Title: Donald Brittain
  • Popularity: 1.06
  • Known For: Directing
  • Birthday:
  • Place of Birth:
  • Homepage: https://www.nfb.ca/directors/donald-brittain/
  • Also Known As:
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Donald Brittain Movies

  • 1966
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    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen

    7.2 1966 HD

    A 1964 documentary portrait of Cohen in his pre-musician days as a poet and stand-up comedian.

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Leonard Cohen

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  • 1976
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    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry
    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry

    5.4 1976 HD

    This feature-length Oscar®-nominated documentary focuses on Malcolm Lowry, author of one of the major novels of the 20th century, Under the...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Richard Burton

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  • 1967
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    What on Earth!
    What on Earth!

    6.1 1967 HD

    The Martians speculate on the nature of Earth's apparent dominant life form, automobiles.

    Genre: Animation

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1986
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    Mobility
    Mobility

    1 1986 HD

    This short documentary examines the complex range of issues affecting urban transport in developing countries. After examining cost and available...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1979
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    Canada Vignettes: Wop May
    Canada Vignettes: Wop May

    5 1979 HD

    This short animated film is about Wop May, one of Canada's leading bush pilots in the 1920s.

    Genre: History

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1975
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    Whistling Smith
    Whistling Smith

    6.4 1975 HD

    This film is a revealing portrait of a tough cop with a big heart. Sergeant Bernie "Whistling" Smith walks the beat on Vancouver's Eastside, the...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Bernie Smith

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  • 1986
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    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle

    1 1986 HD

    The final instalment of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René Lévesque spans the decade between 1976 and...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1978
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    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power

    1 1978 HD

    Part 2 of this 3-part documentary series about Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René Lévesque covers the years between 1967 and 1977, a...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1978
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    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors

    1 1978 HD

    In Part 1 of this 3-part documentary series, director Donald Brittain chronicles the early years of Pierre Elliott Trudeau and René...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1989
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    The Magical Eye
    The Magical Eye

    1 1989 HD

    Features clips from 21 documentary and animation film classics, interviews with NFB filmmakers past and present, and incisive commentary from film...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: William Whitehead

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  • 1979
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    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

    1 1979 HD

    Bureaucracy shapes our lives and guides us from the cradle to the grave. This documentary lays bare the idiosyncrasies of bureaucracy, whether in...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1974
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    King of the Hill
    King of the Hill

    1 1974 HD

    This feature documentary follows one of the greatest Canadian baseball players of all time, Ferguson Jenkins, through the 1972-1973 season. From the...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1966
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    Stravinsky
    Stravinsky

    7.7 1966 HD

    This documentary is an informal portrait of the great modern composer Igor Stravinsky. Proudly American, though still very much an Old World figure...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Igor Stravinsky

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  • 1980
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    The Lost Pharaoh: The Search for Akhenaten
    The Lost Pharaoh: The Search for Akhenaten

    1 1980 HD

    Ancient pharaoh Akhenaten was almost lost to history. Canadian archaeologist Donald Redford, who uncovered the foundation of one of the...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1985
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    First Stop, China
    First Stop, China

    1 1985 HD

    First Stop, China is a record of the choreographed performances and the unrehearsed moments of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens ballet company on the...

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1978
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    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1986
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    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle

    1 1986 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen

    7.2 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Leonard Cohen

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen
    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen

    7.2 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Leonard Cohen

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  • 1965
    imgMovies

    Buster Keaton Rides Again
    Buster Keaton Rides Again

    7.361 1965 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Buster Keaton

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  • 1976
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    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry
    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry

    5.4 1976 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Richard Burton

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  • 1976
    imgMovies

    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry
    Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry

    5.4 1976 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Richard Burton

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  • 1967
    imgMovies

    Memorandum
    Memorandum

    7.2 1967 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Bernard Laufer

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  • 1967
    imgMovies

    What on Earth!
    What on Earth!

    6.1 1967 HD

    Genre: Animation

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Fields of Sacrifice
    Fields of Sacrifice

    7 1964 HD

    Genre: War

    Cast: Douglas Rain

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Helicopter Canada
    Helicopter Canada

    6.4 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Stanley Jackson

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    Mobility
    Mobility

    1 1986 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1983
    imgMovies

    The Accident
    The Accident

    3 1983 HD

    Genre: Drama

    Cast: Fiona Reid

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  • 1979
    imgMovies

    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

    1 1979 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Fields of Sacrifice
    Fields of Sacrifice

    7 1964 HD

    Genre: War

    Cast: Douglas Rain

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    A Trip Down Memory Lane
    A Trip Down Memory Lane

    6 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast:

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    Tiger Child
    Tiger Child

    1 1970 HD

    Genre: Fantasy

    Cast:

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Stravinsky
    Stravinsky

    7.7 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Igor Stravinsky

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  • 1976
    imgMovies

    His Worship, Mr. Montréal
    His Worship, Mr. Montréal

    8 1976 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Camillien Houde

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  • 1985
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    Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks
    Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks

    6.5 1985 HD

    Genre:

    Cast:

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  • 1985
    imgMovies

    Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks
    Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks

    6.5 1985 HD

    Genre:

    Cast:

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  • 1971
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    The Apprentice
    The Apprentice

    4.3 1971 HD

    Genre: Romance

    Cast: Susan Sarandon

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  • 1966
    imgMovies

    Never a Backward Step
    Never a Backward Step

    1 1966 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast:

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Bethune
    Bethune

    5 1964 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Michael Kane

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Bethune
    Bethune

    5 1964 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Michael Kane

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Bethune
    Bethune

    5 1964 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Michael Kane

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  • 1975
    imgMovies

    Whistling Smith
    Whistling Smith

    6.4 1975 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Bernie Smith

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  • 1991
    imgMovies

    Family: A Loving Look at CBC Radio
    Family: A Loving Look at CBC Radio

    1 1991 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Robert A. Duncan

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  • 1975
    imgMovies

    Scoggie
    Scoggie

    1 1975 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Scoggie Watson

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    Dreamland: A History of Early Canadian Movies 1895-1939
    Dreamland: A History of Early Canadian Movies 1895-1939

    1 1974 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast:

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    King of the Hill
    King of the Hill

    1 1974 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    King of the Hill
    King of the Hill

    1 1974 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1973
    imgMovies

    Starblanket
    Starblanket

    1 1973 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Noel Starblanket

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  • 1979
    imgMovies

    Canada Vignettes: Wop May
    Canada Vignettes: Wop May

    5 1979 HD

    Genre: History

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1986
    imgMovies

    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
    The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle

    1 1986 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
    The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
    The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Pierre Elliott Trudeau

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  • 1968
    imgMovies

    Saul Alinsky Went to War
    Saul Alinsky Went to War

    6 1968 HD

    Genre:

    Cast: Saul Alinsky

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle
    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

    7 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Peter Tompkins

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle
    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

    7 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Peter Tompkins

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle
    Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

    7 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Peter Tompkins

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  • 1981
    imgMovies

    The Running Man
    The Running Man

    1 1981 HD

    Genre: Drama

    Cast: Chuck Shamata

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  • 1979
    imgMovies

    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

    1 1979 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1979
    imgMovies

    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
    Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed

    1 1979 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1974
    imgMovies

    Thunderbirds in China
    Thunderbirds in China

    1 1974 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast:

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  • 1961
    imgMovies

    Everybody's Prejudiced
    Everybody's Prejudiced

    1 1961 HD

    Genre:

    Cast: Michael Sarrazin

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  • 1961
    imgMovies

    Everybody's Prejudiced
    Everybody's Prejudiced

    1 1961 HD

    Genre:

    Cast: Michael Sarrazin

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher
    Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast:

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  • 1964
    imgMovies

    Bethune
    Bethune

    5 1964 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Michael Kane

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  • 1962
    imgMovies

    The Clouded Dawn
    The Clouded Dawn

    1 1962 HD

    Genre:

    Cast: Budd Knapp

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  • 1973
    imgMovies

    Starblanket
    Starblanket

    1 1973 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Noel Starblanket

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  • 1973
    imgMovies

    Starblanket
    Starblanket

    1 1973 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Noel Starblanket

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  • 1967
    imgMovies

    Creative Person: Leonard Cohen
    Creative Person: Leonard Cohen

    1 1967 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Leonard Cohen

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  • 1970
    imgMovies

    The World Of Enrico Fermi
    The World Of Enrico Fermi

    1 1970 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Enrico Fermi

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  • 1978
    imgMovies

    The Dionne Quintuplets
    The Dionne Quintuplets

    1 1978 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Annette Dionne

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  • 1985
    imgMovies

    First Stop, China
    First Stop, China

    1 1985 HD

    Genre: Documentary

    Cast: Donald Brittain

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  • 1986
    imgS10 E1

    1 1986 HD

    For The Record, a series of one-hour and ninety-minute film dramas, started on the series, Performance, as a subseries called Camera ’76. Aired...

    Genre: Drama

    Cast:

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