Donald Brittain

Donald Brittain

Known for

Directing

Born

June 10, 1928

Birthplace

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Died

July 21, 1989 (aged 61)

Biography

Donald Code Brittain, OC (June 10, 1928 – July 21, 1989), was a renown award winning Canadian film maker, especially with the National Film Board. He directed, wrote, narrated and produced over 100 films and documentaries. His breakthrough came with "Fields of Sacrifice" in 1963. Brittain's legacy isn't just his films; his camaraderie and perfectionism left a lasting impact and set the standard for professionalism at the National Film Board.

Best known work

Buster Keaton Rides Again

Buster Keaton Rides Again

1965

What on Earth!

What on Earth!

1967

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen

1966

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

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

1976

A Trip Down Memory Lane

A Trip Down Memory Lane

1966

The Apprentice

The Apprentice

1971

Memorandum

Memorandum

1967

Helicopter Canada

Helicopter Canada

1966

Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle

1978

Whistling Smith

Whistling Smith

1975

Filmography

1992
Donald Brittain: Filmmaker
as Self (archive footage)
1991
Family: A Loving Look at CBC Radio
Director
1989
The Magical Eye
as Self
1986
Mobility
as Narrator, Writer
1986
The Champions, Part 3: The Final Battle
as Narrator, Director, Writer
1986
Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame
as Narrator, Writer
1985
Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks
as Narrator, Director, Writer
1985
First Stop, China
Writer
1984
Overtime
as Narrator
1983
The Accident
Director
1981
On Guard For TheeTV
as Narrator (voice) (3 episodes), Director, Writer, Producer
1981
The Running Man
Director
1980
The Lost Pharaoh: The Search for Akhenaten
as Self - Narrator (voice)
1979
Has Anybody Here Seen Canada?
Writer
1979
Canada Vignettes: Wop May
as Narrator, Script
1979
Paperland: The Bureaucrat Observed
as Narrator (voice), Writer, Producer, Director
1978
The Dionne Quintuplets
Director
1978
Secrets of the Bermuda Triangle
Producer, Screenplay, Director
1978
The Champions, Part 2: Trappings of Power
as Narrator, Director, Writer
1978
The Champions, Part 1: Unlikely Warriors
as Narrator, Director, Writer
1978
Small Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz Schumacher
Director
1977
Henry Ford's America
as Self - Narrator (voice), Director, Writer, Producer
1976
For the RecordTV
Director
1976
Volcano: An Inquiry into the Life and Death of Malcolm Lowry
as Narrator (voice), Writer, Director
1976
His Worship, Mr. Montréal
Director