F.R. Scott: Rhyme and Reason (1982)

• 69%
• 1982
• Documentary
• Donald Winkler

This absorbing documentary looks at the multi-faceted career of F.R. Scott, a truly remarkable Canadian whose work and vision of social justice spanned and influenced an entire era as Canada evolved during the 20th century. The film looks at Scott's role in the founding of the CCF Party in the 1930s, his years as a teacher of constitutional law, as a modernist poet, and as a champion of civil liberties. Appearing also are eminent figures from the fields in which Scott excelled, among them David Lewis and Eugene Forsey. Highlights include Scott's courtroom challenges of the Duplessis regime in the 1950s, his controversial support of the War Measures Act during the 1970 October Crisis in Québec, and readings from his poetry.