Canada's Sweetheart

This riveting docudrama from the National Film Board of Canada is based on the true story of Hal C. Banks, an American monster who was sent to Canada in 1949 to break the Canadian Seaman's Union--a socialist union. It took him thirteen months, but with the aid of shotguns, baseball bats, axe handles, and "sweetheart" deals with the ship owners, Banks accomplished his mission. So began a veritable reign of terror on the Canadian waterfront that was to last nearly thirteen years. Maury Chaykin is outstanding in his portrayal of this brutal, though occasionally charming, tyrant. And the filmmaker's have chosen a strange, but eerily effective method, to tell their story. Shot in black and white, color interviews with principals in the Banks drama are interspersed throughout the film. And, when Banks is finally brought to trial in 1962, the film shifts to color for the courtroom trial finale. (Which, as it turns out, is not the finale, at all--as Banks makes a clever escape to the U.S.) Although the cover art for the video unfortunately emphasizes the violent aspect of the film, there is really very little onscreen violence (just enough to keep the viewer edgy.) And, although the cover art cites the film's title as Sweetheart, it's actually Canada's Sweetheart. Winner of five Canadian film awards, this penetrating study of real-life corruption, power, and greed is mesmerizing and highly recommended. (Available from: Baker & Taylor Video, 501 S. Gladiolus, Momence, IL 60954.)