Tommy Douglas was a hero. He took on giants and won, even when the odds were against him. His message was simple: We all bear a moral obligation to help those less fortunate than ourselves. His enemies called him a communist, a fascist, a fool and a liar. Tommy Douglas’determination to put the welfare ofhis constituents above those of big business created a battle that rocked a nation.

One of history’s most interesting political leaders is profiled in this dramatization of a true story. The depression of the 1930’s, political unrest within the government, and wild riots in the streets all formed a fierce social climate in which Tommy Douglas struggled for social justice and subsidized medical care. Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story, a four-hour mini-series, illustrates the groundbreaking and momentous undertakings of one man. Spanning over four decades, the story pays tribute to this charismatic leader, today considered to be a controversial political icon.

His realization of public health insurance and a Bill of Rights in one province evolved into Medicare and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms nationally. His message of social democracy is relayed in such a fashion that any audience can understand even the most complicated issue even while being entertained. To social-minded people everywhere, Tommy Douglas remains a constant source of inspiration.

With stunning cinematography and a story that reaches into the depths of
audience’s emotions, Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story shares the ideals of the time that helped shape the values of Canada today.

Directed by John N. Smith (The Boys of St. Vincent, Dangerous Minds) and written by Bruce M. Smith (The Sleep Room, The Investigation), the miniseries will premiere on CBC in the winter of 2006.