Dief

This documentary short is a portrait of Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and 13th prime minister of Canada, John George Diefenbaker (1895-1979). Diefenbaker's political career spanned 6 decades. When he died in 1979, his state funeral and final train trip west became more a celebration of life than a victory for death. Interweaving scenes from past and present, the film crafts a tribute to an illustrious Canadian and records how a nation paused to pay homage to "The Chief."

Directed by William Canning - 1981 | 26 min

[winstonmarkwart]

I met and spoke with Mr. Diefenbaker on the train. We talked about the Vietnam war. Mr. Diefenbaker said he had told John F. Kennedy to withdraw, but Kennedy declined.

[willfilipski]

Attendees at Diefenbaker's funeral in order of appearance:

5:53 - Robert Stanfield, premier of Nova Scotia
6:02 - Flora MacDonald, 1st female foreign minister
6:05 - Pierre Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
6:11 - Unsure
6:38 - Peter Lougheed, premier of Alberta
6:47 - George Grant, philosopher
6:55 - Unsure
8:04 - Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada
8:15 - Pierre Trudeau again

Lots of incredible people!

[stevemccann]

Looking at this documentary makes me nostalgic, he was a Lion 🙏

[dimetronome]

Although he was PC, Diefenbaker was one of the most progressive PMs in Canadian history. I'm a socialist and Diefenbaker is still one of my favourite PMs (the only PC/Conservative PM that I don't strongly dislike).

[ivozanette]

What a difference to today's Poiliticians, this man ltruly loved Canadians.

[chelSEY]

A very lovely tribute to a great Canadian.

[platttenbau]

His material political legacy may be mixed, however it is undoubtable that he was a man of great moral conviction and strength, perhaps if he had been prime minister even a few years earlier he would have had a different impact on our political landscape, however by the late 50s Canada was already moving in a different direction that he was unable to fully come to terms with.

[JHarder]

I Bet even Peter Newman got a LITTLE teary eyed when Jon Vickers started singing.

[shirleybrown]

Loved to listen to him speak
Great PM

[Jerseysson]

What was the song was sung in the church service for Mr. Diefenbaker by the soloist from 5:32 - 6:56, I'm curious

[oilersridersbluejays]

“Doo-doo-lee-doo.”
“I thought that was the Liberal hymn.”

65 years later, still rings true.

[jfc]

We need a politician like this one now more then ever!

[MichaelPhilipMaunes]

Dief the Chief. One of the best Prime Ministers of Canada.

[vickdisco]

Note to Justin and his smug, arrogant father Pierre....He was twice the man you'd ever be.

[dodgelandesman]

New Yorker here who took a 4 month long road trip from Thunder Bay, Ont to Prince Rupert, BC. I visited the PMs house in Prince Albert. A fascinating figure. Notice his more American like accent. No longer the erudite British affectation. I think Deifenbaker (sp?) Made Canads more North America associated and less Brit associated, allowing for total departure in the 60s.

[JHarder]

^6.46 is George Parkin Grant, weeping

[Davidkevindoyle]

Back in the day when we were proud to be a Canadian

[broadstreet]

Diefenbaker was perhaps the most underrated PM of Canada.

[adamwatson]

I feel a bit bad for having no idea who this man was

[nurlatifahmohdnor]

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