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CANADA RUSSIA '72

It was the most historic goal in Canadian hockey history - a moment when an entire country leapt to its feet in a collective cheer. And now CBC Television airs the highly anticipated two-part, four hour mini-series Canada Russia '72 on Sunday April 9th and Monday 10th at 8pm.

The movie tells the whole story for the very first time, recreating the actual games and offering insight into the behind-the-scenes intrigues of the defining moment in Canadian history.

Canada Russia '72 also features a soundtrack of Canada's greatest hits of the era, including songs by The Guess Who, Crowbar, Lighthouse, Leonard Cohen, The Five Man Electrical Band, The Poppy Family and The Band.

Team Canada celebrates Paul Henderson's winning goal in Game Eight.
Team Canada celebrates Paul Henderson's winning goal in Game Eight.

Team Canada and Russia shake hands and exchange souvenirs
Team Canada gives white Stetson hats to the Russians as part of a souvenir exchange.

While the hockey games themselves may represent a celebrated chapter in Canadian history, there was a whole lot more happening off the ice that the fans couldn't see.

It was officially called "The Friendship Tournament," but that was clearly a misnomer.

RealVideoThe hockey summit was about more than just hockey. [Real Media, 2:18]

"We're trying to take the audience into the dressing rooms and in the hotel rooms, to see and feel what it was like to be there," says director TW Peacocke.

RealVideoWhat did happen off the ice? Cast and filmmakers talk about some of the things they learned that fans didn't know about. [Real Media, 3:52]

One of the many impressive things about this miniseries is the incredible attention to detail. All of the equipment the players are using was either hunted down or rebuilt to replicate the same gear Team Canada and the Russians wore in '72.

RealVideoHow did they find all that vintage hockey gear? [Real Media, 2:38]


With all the equipment sourced, the filmmakers still had the task of making the miniseries itself look authentic.

"Recreating the look of 1972 is probably one of the most daunting challenges for us," says Barrie Dunn, who wrote, produced and executive produced the miniseries.

RealVideoThe filmmakers talk about the techniques they used to take viewers back to 1972. [Real Media, 1:33]

Director of Photography James Jeffrey
"I said, 'don't make it the most perfect shot in the world,' you know. If it goes a little bit out of focus and back again its perfect because that's the way documentaries were," says Director of Photography James Jeffrey.
Director TW Peacocke
Directing Canada Russia '72 was a dream come true for TW Peacocke.

Finding a director who understood hockey was instrumental to telling the story properly. When Dunne met TW Peacocke, he was impressed with the experience and enthusiasm he could bring to the job.

"He had thoroughly researched the story, he had read the script, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, and he had some great ideas for how we would treat the show," says Dunne.

RealVideoFilmmakers and actors talk about what it's like working with director TW Peacocke. [Real Media, 1:55]


RealVideoTW Peacocke talks about how he got the job. [Real Media, 0:29]

Selecting the right cast was also a challenge. These guys had to be able to play hockey and act - and they had to look something like the actual players, too.

"John Briggar, who's playing Bobby Clarke, showed up at the casting session and he blacked out his teeth, because of course Bobby Clarke had teeth missing. And he had the long blond hair. That endeared him to us right away," says Executive Producer Rick LeGuerrier. Fortunately, he could also play hockey.

Once they were cast, it didn't take long for the actors to get comfortable in their roles.

RealVideoThe actors talk about how they bonded and felt like a real hockey team. [Real Media, 2:30]

RealVideoCast and filmmakers reveal their real-life, on-ice hockey experience. [Real Media, 1:58]

 John Briggar and Hugh Thompson
John Briggar ("Bobby Clarke") and Hugh Thompson ("Gary Bergman") enjoy a laugh between takes during the shooting of Canada Russia '72.
Actor Mark Owen plays John Ferguson
Mark Owen ("John Ferguson") remembers exactly where he was when he saw game eight of the series.

Every Canadian who was alive in '72 remembers where they were when they watched these games. And almost every Canadian was watching. Fifteen million people, almost the entire country, saw Henderson score in game eight.

RealVideoFilmmakers and actors talk about where they were when they watched the series in '72. [Real Media, 2:09]


Getting the opportunity to participate in this miniseries was very special, even for those who weren't alive or old enough to have seen the hockey games live on television.

RealVideoCast and filmmakers talk about what it means to them to be involved in Canada Russia '72. [Real Media, 0:56]

CANADA RUSSIA '72 - official site from CBC Television.

CANADA-SOVIET HOCKEY SERIES, 1972 - CBC Archives looks back at the series that changed Canadian hockey forever, with audio and video clips from CBC Radio and Television.