Grierson
Synopsis
A portrait of John Grierson, the first Canadian Government Film Commissioner and founder of the National Film Board in 1939. Interweaving archival footage, interviews with people who knew him and footage of Grierson himself, this film is a sensitive and informative portrait of a dynamic man of vision. Grierson believed that the filmmaker had a social responsibility, and that film could help a society realize democratic ideals. His absolute faith in the value of capturing the drama of everyday life was to influence generations of filmmakers all over the world. In fact, he coined the term 'documentary film'.
Top Cast
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Michael Kane
Narrator (voice)
John Grierson
Self (archive footage)
Norman McLaren
Self (archive footage)
Sydney Newman
Self
Basil Wright
Self
Lorne Greene
Self
Woodrow Wilson
Self (archive footage)
Roberto Rossellini
Self
Joseph McCarthy
Self (archive footage)
Joris Ivens
Self
Indira Gandhi
Self
Margaret Grierson
Self
Alberto Cavalcanti
Self
Bosley Crowther
Self
Pierre Juneau
Self
Lester B. Pearson
Self (archive footage)
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Roger Blais
- Screenplay & Story
- Donald Brittain
- Original Title
- Grierson
- Country of Origin
- Canada
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 58m
- Production Studios
- ONF | NFB
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Roger Blais
Donald Brittain
Lewis McLeod, Jacques Fogel, Eugene Boyko, Michel Thomas-d'Hoste, Magí Torruella
Les Halman, John Kramer, Annick de Bellefeuille
David Bairstow, Roger Blais
Department Leadership Roster
Roger Blais
Director
Les Halman
Editor
John Kramer
Editor
Annick de Bellefeuille
Editor
Roger Blais
Producer
Lewis McLeod
Director of Photography
Jacques Fogel
Director of Photography
Eugene Boyko
Director of Photography
Michel Thomas-d'Hoste
Director of Photography
Magí Torruella
Director of Photography
Donald Brittain
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Grierson.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Grierson
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Grierson about?
A portrait of John Grierson, the first Canadian Government Film Commissioner and founder of the National Film Board in 1939. Interweaving archival footage, interviews with people who knew him and footage of Grierson himself, this film is a sensitive and informative portrait of a dynamic man of vision. Grierson believed that the filmmaker had a social responsibility, and that film could help a society realize democratic ideals. His absolute faith in the value of capturing the drama of everyday life was to influence generations of filmmakers all over the world. In fact, he coined the term 'documentary film'.
Who directed Grierson?
Grierson was directed by Roger Blais.
Who stars in Grierson?
The principal cast of Grierson includes Michael Kane, John Grierson, Norman McLaren, Sydney Newman, Basil Wright.
When was Grierson released and how long is it?
Grierson was released in 1973 with a total runtime of 58m.