NFB Collection
The Sinking of the Princess Sophia
200346 min 30 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Alain Vézina
Production: Michel T. Prévost
Script: Alain Vézina
Produced by Merlin Films Enr.
This title is an acquisition.
This documentary explores the events surrounding the greatest maritime tragedy in the history of the Pacific coast, the sinking of the Princess Sophia.
The Canadian Pacific steamer had left Skagway, Alaska, on October 23, 1918, on its way to Vancouver, when a fierce blizzard hit. The ship veered off course and ran aground on a reef. Despite the proximity of several other ships, the harsh weather prevented any evacuation attempt. Almost 48 hours later, the Sophia slipped off the reef and sank. The following morning, rescue ships faced the terrible evidence: only the tip of its mast was visible. None of the 353 passengers and crewmembers survived.
Archival photos, 3D animation, exclusive interviews and underwater photography relate an important chapter of maritime history, while vividly portraying a place and time.
Availability
Other versions
Subject categories
- Transportation > Boating and ShippingBoatsWater Safety and Emergency Measures
- History - Canada - 1867-1919 > Transportation
- Safety > Water Safety
Credits
- producer
- Michel T. Prévost
- writer
- Alain Vézina
- director
- Alain Vézina
- director of photography
- Jean Kavanagh
- Jean-Luc Potvin
- art direction
- Jean-Pierre Vallée
- Yves Bérubé
- 3D animation
- Jean-Luc Potvin
- original illustrations
- Jean-Pierre Vallée
- Yves Bérubé
- original music
- Réjean Doyon
- underwater photography
- Dennis Lanham
- narration
- Luc Pilon
- additional voice
- Joseph D'Urso
- Ron O'Brien
- Allan Lento
- Isabelle Pagé
- dramatic reenactment
- Yves Bérubé
- Marc Blanchet
- Alain Essiembre
- Charles Farrel
- Philippe Lemieux
- Danielle Paré
- Yvan Roy
- Jean-Pierre Vallée
- interviewee
- Syd Locke
- Betty O'Keefe
- Ian MacDonald
- research
- Alain Vézina
- Michel T. Prévost
- translation
- Alain Essiembre
- special consultant
- Sue Bibeault-Cliche
- camera operator
- Jean-Luc Potvin
- lighting
- Marc Blanchet
- Éric Gagné
- crane operator
- Marc Blanchet
- modelmaker
- Jean-Pierre Vallée
- props
- Yves Bérubé
- Jean-Pierre Vallée
- prosthesis
- Mario Soucy
- off-line editor
- Michel T. Prévost
- online editor
- Jean-Luc Potvin
- sound fx editor
- Serge Drolet
- sound recording
- Serge Drolet
- post-production audio
- Jean-Luc Potvin
- production assistant
- Guillaume Boivin
- Alain Essiembre
- Julie Gendron
- Philippe Lemieux
- Raymond L'Abbé
- David Meleshko
- Danielle Paré
- Yvan Roy
- production secretary
- Sylvie Thibault