One of the longest and most intricate stretches of passenger rail in the world transverses a distance of over 4457 kilometres straight through Canada from Toronto on Lake Ontario in the East to Vancouver in the West – over the wild prairies, past swamps and moors, and through the Rocky Mountains. The building of this railroad in 1867 was a prerequisite to the unification of the provinces and the formation of the Canadian nation. Today the journey takes 69 hours in stainless steel cars from the 1950's, with comfortable sleeping cars and observation decks. This film portrays the travellers and train staff but also the life around this railroad, as well as portraying its grandiose natural surroundings. On the way to Vancouver there is a lot to see: nine hours outside of Toronto is the mining town of Sudbury with its nickel mines at 2000 metres. Near Sioux Lookout the prairie begins – the "Great Plains". Not far from Winnipeg live the Hutterites, a religious-based people who travel about in their buggies – men in dark clothing and wide-rimmed hats and the women in long skirts. In the province of Alberta we find large groups of Blackfoot Indians, Cree and Stoney – some of whom still live as hunters and gatherers. The last stretch takes us through the impressive landscape of the Rocky Mountains, through deep ravines and over breathtaking mountain passes.
Canada – From The Great Lakes To Vancouver
Foreign Cultures / Travel
- Title: Canada – From The Great Lakes To Vancouver
- Original title: Mit dem Zug quer durch Kanada – Von den Großen Seen bis nach Vancouver
- Film by: Rita Knobel-Ulrich
- Format: 45', Series
- Production: WDR
- Year of production: 2005
- Language / subtitle version: German
