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CAHS Vancouver Chapter |
THE HERO'S HERO: The Forgotten Life of William Barker
22nd Annual Atlantic Film Festival screening Tuesday September 16, 2003
Road House Films Inc. and Ocean Entertainment Ltd. are
pleased to announce the first public screening of Michael MacDonald's latest
documentary, "The Hero's Hero: The Forgotten Life of William Barker," at the
22nd annual Atlantic Film Festival. The one-hour film about this gifted WWI
flying Ace will screen on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:15 p.m. at Famous Players
Park Lane Cinema 6.
"Barker was the greatest, and deserves his place in the pantheon of Canadian
flying heroes. It's time that Billy Barker, the undiscovered hero, was better
known. This terrific film helps Canadians appreciate who he was and the legacy
he left."
-- Pierre Berton
"A heartfelt biography . . . a stirring story . . . surprising revelations . . .
timely viewing."
- Andrew Ryan, The Globe and Mail
"Fascinating . . . in-depth . . .'The Hero's Hero' is thorough, enlightening,
and quite captivating, an impressive feat."
- Brad Oswald, Winnipeg Free Press
His name may not ring many bells today, but Lt. Col. William George Barker, VC,
was "the greatest fighter pilot that ever lived," according to Canada's
better-known Ace, Billy Bishop. To this day, Barker - a Manitoba farm boy -
remains Canada's most decorated soldier, and his untimely demise at age 34
remains a mystery.
A fighter pilot in World War I was signing his own death warrant. Planes were
primitive. There was little training. The average life expectancy was less than
three weeks. Yet William Barker logged more time in the air than virtually any
other pilot. Among his peers, he was idolized for his brilliance, his modesty,
and his unwavering courage under fire.
But Barker's prodigal talents ultimately turned against him after the war, in a
fall from grace that shocked the nation at a time when even other war heroes
admired Barker.
Filmed at locations in Canada, France and Italy, "The Hero's Hero" also features
exclusive interviews with Billy Bishop's son and WWII pilot Arthur Bishop, noted
Canadian military historian Sydney Wise and Barker biographer Wayne Ralph. Also
interviewed are Barker's siblings Marie and Orval (now deceased) and John Gray
and Eric Peterson, the creative duo behind the popular stage play "Billy Bishop
Goes to War." The film incorporates compelling WWI footage and photographs from
dozens of sources.
The screening is a chance to learn about this forgotten Canadian legend, in case
you missed the film's April 15 premiere on History Television. The inaugural
broadcast of The Hero's Hero began just 15 minutes before U.S. President George
Bush declared war on Iraq. Even so, the show drew a solid number of viewers, and
Barker's story of skill and determination offers insights still applicable in
today's wartime situations.
The Hero's Hero: The Forgotten Life of William Barker.
Produced by Ocean Entertainment Ltd.
Director: Michael MacDonald - Road House Films Inc.
Executive Producer: Peter Raymont
Producer: Johanna Eliot
Production Executive, History Television: Sydney Suissa
Production Executives, History Television: Cindy Witten and Michael Kot
