The story of pioneer writers Susanna Moodie and Catharine Parr Traill is one of ambition, passion, staggering hardship and remarkable success. It is the ultimate “Survivor” story.
Growing up in early 19th century England, sisters Susanna and Catharine Parr Strickland dream of becoming famous writers. When the sisters and their husbands left their genteel life in England to emigrate to Upper Canada in 1832, they pictured an effortless rise to the top of colonial society. But they were hopelessly unprepared for life in the rough-and-tumble new colony, where it was a wrenching struggle simply to survive. And yet, despite illness and poverty, and at times near starvation, the two women never stopped writing, leaving an unparalleled record of life in early Canada.
Adapted from the award-winning book by Charlotte Gray, this is a tale of perseverance and survival on the Canadian frontier.
Special features:
- Charlotte Gray Interview – Alison Smith interviews the author about the lives of the two sisters and her impressions of the film.
- Michael Peterman Lecture Excerpt – Noted author and authority on the two sisters speaks about the women and their families in the historical Christ Church in Lakefield Ontario.
- Close captioning for the hearing impaired
- Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio
Starring:
Severn Thompson as Susanna Moodie
Jane Spidell as Catharine Parr Traill
Written, produced and directed by Susan Dando
Running time: 87 minutes
Growing up in early 19th century England, sisters Susanna and Catharine Parr Strickland dream of becoming famous writers. When the sisters and their husbands left their genteel life in England to emigrate to Upper Canada in 1832, they pictured an effortless rise to the top of colonial society. But they were hopelessly unprepared for life in the rough-and-tumble new colony, where it was a wrenching struggle simply to survive. And yet, despite illness and poverty, and at times near starvation, the two women never stopped writing, leaving an unparalleled record of life in early Canada.
Adapted from the award-winning book by Charlotte Gray, this is a tale of perseverance and survival on the Canadian frontier.
Special features:
- Charlotte Gray Interview – Alison Smith interviews the author about the lives of the two sisters and her impressions of the film.
- Michael Peterman Lecture Excerpt – Noted author and authority on the two sisters speaks about the women and their families in the historical Christ Church in Lakefield Ontario.
- Close captioning for the hearing impaired
- Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio
Starring:
Severn Thompson as Susanna Moodie
Jane Spidell as Catharine Parr Traill
Written, produced and directed by Susan Dando
Running time: 87 minutes
