A union boss so ruthless, they made a whole movie about how much Canada hated him.
A biographical drama that profiles the life of Hal C. Banks, a controversial American labour union leader, who came to Canada in 1949 to lead a violent fight against the rival communist shipping union. He once ruled the Canadian shipping industry, but his brutal tactics would bring his downfall.
Acting
Maury Chaykin's sweaty, terrifying presence as the union kingpin.
Direction
Brittain's seamless blend of archival footage and staged reenactments.
Writing
Narration that bites harder than most fiction thrillers dare.
Director
Donald Brittain
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This remains one of the few Canadian films to directly confront the country's postwar labour wars, a topic most Canadian media politely ignores.
Director Donald Brittain allegedly received threatening phone calls during production from former Seafarers members who still considered Banks a hero.
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