About this season
This series of films, written and hosted by journalist and military historian Gwynne Dyer, examines Canada's role in the international power game, its tradition of alliances with world powers, and our future role on the world stage. The series combines recent footage shot in ten countries with archival films dating back to the Boer War (1899) and interviews with noted military leaders, politicians, and frontline troops.
Episodes (3)
1. A Long Way from Home
Aired 2 March 1986 • 57 min
Canada's military alliances have involved patriots in foreign wars and brought death to more Canadian than American fighting men in the past century. The history of Canada's military alliances is traced back to 1812, and alternatives to pacts that commit us to fight the wars of other nations are explored. Host Gwynne Dyer leaves us to ponder the value of "acting as if we were just another middle-sized European country." Part one of the series.
2. Keeping the Elephants Away
Aired 9 March 1986 • 57 min
In host Gwynne Dyer's words, this film is "an inquiry into how we fell into our present defense policy ... and whether the choices we made were really wise." We are given an opportunity to explore such issues as the purpose of NATO, the role of the United Nations, and Canada's role as a peacemaker. Part two of the series.
3. The Space Between
Aired 16 March 1986 • 57 min
This third part of the series focuses on Canada's participation in NORAD and the events leading up to Canada's becoming a "nuclear no-man's land." In the late 1980s we are confronted with important choices about our role on the international scene, and host Gwynne Dyer offers intriguing predictions and possibilities about how our decisions could have global impact.