Louisbourg Under Siege

199745 minFilm: Documentary

G

Direction: Albert Kish

Production: Mark ZannisDon Haig

Script: Boyce Richardson

In 1745, merchants from New England raised a largely untrained force of 4,000 men and set out to take the great French fortress of Louisbourg. Once thought impregnable, it fell in a matter of weeks. Located on Cape Breton, in what is now Nova Scotia, Louisbourg was the greatest French fortress in North America and a key military stronghold.

Three short years later, the British infuriated the New Englanders by negotiating a deal that saw Louisbourg returned to French control. In 1758 the British laid siege to the fortress once again, this time razing it after its capture.

Using stunning footage of the fortress and a re-creation of the 1745 Battle of Louisbourg, this beautifully shot documentary brings to life a turning point in North American history.

The colonists' assault on Louisbourg played a pivotal role in the emergence of the US as a nation. The victory marked a coming-of-age for the New Englanders, giving them confidence in their military strength, laying the basis for their military tradition and making them wary of European powers.

Subject categories


  • History - Canada - Pre-1867 > Atlantic RegionHistoric Sites and Monuments

Credits


director
Albert Kish
producer
Mark Zannis
executive producer
Don Haig
script
Boyce Richardson
cinematography
Tony Ianzelo
Colin Low
Ernest McNabb
Kent Nason
sound
Hans Oomes
Jim Rillie
Cyril MacInnes
editing
Albert Kish
sound editing
Danuta Klis
Wojtek Klis
André Galbrand
re-recording
Jean Paul Vialard
Geoffrey Mitchell
narrator
Colm Feore
music
Alain Clavier