When people think of early cinema, Hollywood often comes to mind. But long before the rise of Tinseltown, Manitoba played a crucial role in Canada’s early filmmaking. In 1897, the province became the setting for some of the country’s very first films, capturing grainy black-and-white footage of prairie life, farmers at work, and CPR trains chugging across vast landscapes. These films, created by James Freer and possibly others, weren’t just entertainment—they were powerful tools designed to entice European settlers to start a new life in the west.
This lesser-known chapter of Canada’s cinematic history will be explored in an upcoming lecture, Early Film in Winnipeg, presented by Rowan Douglas of the Dalnavert Museum. Taking place this Sunday, March 30, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the event promises to be an engaging dive into the origins of Manitoba’s film industry and the controversies surrounding its beginnings.
A Passion for Film History
Douglas, currently an intern at the Dalnavert Museum, was tasked with creating a presentation as part of an end-of-term project. Given his lifelong interest in filmmaking, the choice was obvious. “As someone who’s really interested in filmmaking for most of my life, I thought it would be interesting to see what Winnipeg has to offer in terms of early filmmaking,” he explained.
One of the key films discussed in the lecture is Ten Years in Manitoba, a production financed by the Canadian Pacific Railway and presented by James Freer in England. The film aimed to attract immigrants to the province by showcasing the opportunities available in the Canadian West. Unfortunately, as Douglas noted, “a lot of early films are lost because of the processes that they were made out of.”
Silent films were often recorded on highly flammable and unstable silver nitrate film, which deteriorated over time. “About 75% of all silent films are considered lost today,” Douglas said, emphasizing the fragile nature of early cinematic history.
The Controversy of Manitoba’s First Film
While Ten Years in Manitoba is credited to Freer, recent discoveries suggest that he may not have been the sole creator. “It was found in the past 20-odd years or so that the footage may have not actually been shot by Freer, or at least not all of it,” Douglas revealed.
Other figures in the early Winnipeg film scene include Richard Hardie, a local bartender who reportedly filmed parts of the movie, and Cosgrove, a camera owner who had his own footage. An American named E.H. Emmett is also believed to have contributed. “Ten Years in Manitoba seems to be like a conglomeration of all those films and Freer’s films, but Freer seems to have gotten the credit for it,” Douglas explained.
A Glimpse into the Past
Beyond Ten Years in Manitoba, the lecture will highlight other early films that captured Winnipeg and Manitoba, particularly documentaries used for immigration promotion. Douglas referenced surviving footage from the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, noting its historical importance: “When you think of the 1919 strike, there’s a lot of photography, there’s a lot of second-hand accounts of it or first-hand accounts. But there does remain a couple of minutes of footage that was shot of this strike.”
For Douglas, the power of these films lies in their ability to transport viewers back in time. “I definitely feel like going back into the past. Since moving to Winnipeg a couple years ago, I feel like Winnipeg is that kind of town where it’s like the old and the new,” he said.
Preserving Film History
Douglas hopes the lecture will inspire attendees to appreciate and preserve early film history. “Hopefully, people want to preserve that history as much as possible,” he said. He also encouraged Winnipeggers to check their basements for potential cinematic treasures: “Somebody found some lost films in their basement… so check your basement, folks.”
The Early Film in Winnipeg lecture takes place this Sunday, March 30, at the Dalnavert Museum. Whether you’re a history buff, a film enthusiast, or simply curious about Winnipeg’s past, it’s an opportunity to step back in time and rediscover Manitoba’s role in the dawn of Canadian cinema.
Early Film in Winnipeg, as presented by Rowan Douglas of the Dalnavert Museum. Takes place this Sunday, March 30, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.