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Timothy Findley

Timothy Findley

Writing

Biography

Canadian novelist and playwright Timothy Findley, born in 1930 in Toronto, initially aimed for a career in the arts but found his calling as a writer during a stint in London. Back in Canada, he scripted for various media, notably contributing to CBC’s The National Dream, winning him an ACTRA award. His acclaimed novel "The Wars" based on his Uncle Thomas's wartime letters earned him critical acclaim and the Governor General’s Literature Award in 1977, touching on themes recurring in his works like violence and individual survival. A vocal advocate, he co-founded the Writers’ Union of Canada and led the Canadian chapter of P.E.N. International. His life was profiled in the 1992 film, "Timothy Findley: Anatomy of a Writer." His substantial literary legacy includes 10 novels, short story collections, plays, and screenplays, notably the film adaptation of "The Wars" in 1981. Recognized by the Officer of the Order of Canada, Findley valued his characters’ self-naming, believing it added authenticity to his narratives.

Known For

The Wednesday Play
5.2

An anthology series of television plays which aired on BBC1 from October 1964 to May 1970. The plays were usually written for television, although adaptations from other sources also featured.

The Wednesday Play

1964
The National Dream
9.0

A combination of documentary and dramatic reconstructions, depicting the conception and construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th century.

The National Dream

1974
The Piano Man's Daughter
10.0

Terrified of passing on the madness that runs in his family, Charlie Kilworth (Christian Campbell) stays away from relationships that could lead to marriage and children. Meanwhile, his grandparents (R.H. Thomson and Wendy Crewson) are debating whether to put his mother (Stockard Channing) into a mental institution. Whoopi Goldberg shares producing credits on this generational drama adapted from the acclaimed novel by Timothy Findley.

The Piano Man's Daughter

2003
The Wars
5.0

Robert Ross (Brent Carver) lives a protected adolescence in a well-off Toronto suburb. Secretive and withdrawn, he shares his thoughts only with his sister Rowena (Anne-Marie MacDonald) who is mentally disabled. He feels compassion for his weak and conventional father. He avoids any confrontation with his mother (Martha Henry), a dominating woman whose despondency at having given birth to a handicapped child has turned to bitterness. Rowena occupies a central position in Robert's existence of daydreams and make-believe. When she dies, Robert clashes openly with his family, and decides to take himself in hand. It's 1914. He enrolls in the Canadian army, and, after training in Alberta and Montreal, he finds himself in England and France. The war becomes another way for him to resolve his conflicts, his dramas, his passions--his wars.

The Wars

1983
Demented
6.6

It’s summer and the beginning of the long vacation period for eleven-year-old Martin, who lives on a farm, and, at a loss, observes his family’s disintegration : his mother lives locked-up in her room ; his older brother, who he adores, drowns himself in drink ; and his father, dominated by Martin’s grandmother, is a helpless onlooker to the family’s collapse. Although Mistigri, his cat, and Malika, the Moroccan maid, afford him some comfort, Martin is determined to put an end to this confusion.

Demented

2006
The Stratford Adventure
6.2

This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality.

The Stratford Adventure

1954
Don't Let the Angels Fall
8.6

The lives of a businessman and his family begin to spiral downward after he has an affair at an insurance convention.

Don't Let the Angels Fall

1969
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6.0

This filmed treatment of the original Stratford Festival production of Timothy Findley's Governor General Award-winning play is a lavish treat for the eyes and the ears. William Shakespeare and his company of actors are brought together with the formidable Queen Elizabeth I in a remarkable encounter on the night of April 22, 1616, hours before the execution of Elizabeth's former lover Essex. Through the course of the evening, actor Ned Lowenscroft, famous for his female roles in Shakespeares' plays, very touchingly teaches the Queen to be more of a woman, while the Queen helps Ned be more of a man. Part history lesson, part theatrical insight, the play is a beautifully crafted Shakespeare-like work with poignant reflections on grief, love, friendship, and art. Compelling performances are delivered by Diane D'Aquila as Queen Elizabeth, Peter Hutt as Shakespeare and Brent Carver as Ned Lowenscroft.

Elizabeth Rex

2004
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7.0

Based on a short story by Timothy Findley.

Going to War

1985