Fighting Words: The Social Crusades of Joseph E. Atkinson

In the city of Toronto, the dawn of the 20th century was the best of times - if you were fortunate enough to be rich.

For the city's poor, it was the worst of times: wage slavery, disease and hunger were their lot. Starving women and children huddled in grim shanties just steps from the splendour of city hall.

Few members of the Toronto elite showed much concern for the plight of the poor. And so it fell to a shy, Bible-quoting newspaperman to champion the cause of the disadvantaged and destitute.

Joseph E. Atkinson spent a lifetime preaching social justice. His pulpit? The Toronto daily newspaper still loved by thousands and feared and loathed by some of the powerful: The Star.

Written and directed by veteran filmmaker Paul Dalby, Fighting Words is an hour-long documentary that chronicles the tumultuous life and times of "Holy Joe" Atkinson and his impact on Toronto and the country. The documentary is narrated by broadcaster Jill Dempsey, and Michael Pieri was executive producer.

Fighting Words premiered on VisionTV on April 19, 2007 and is a production of the Atkinson Charitable Foundation. For more information on how you can get a copy of Fighting Words for educational purposes to purchase a private copy at cost, please visit atkinsonfoundation.ca or contact fightingwords@atkinsonfoundation.ca.

Watch the entire film in five parts by viewing the videos below, or view excerpts from the film here.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3