The Men of the Deeps
CBC Broadcast of the Canadian International Film Festival premier of
The film written and directed
by John Walker
MENOF THEDEEPS
A moving portrait of a group of miners andformer miners gathered together by their love of song...the hauntingly beautiful voices of the choir...it captures the grace and dignity of the men... their voicesinspire and uplift...
QUOTES:
Naomi de Bruyn
“The harmonies of the chorus are almost enough to call forth tears...may your lamps never go dim.”
From MACLEANS Magazine - CA
“Among the Canadian films, however, truly the most moving was “Men of the Deeps”- Montreal-born director John Walker has composed a masterful portrait of the men...Walkerintercuts the choir's stirring performances with interviews and footage of miners underground. They tell funny and terrifyingstories...”
COAL FIRE IN WINTER
CD Review by Tom Knapp
Rambles - a cultural arts magazine
“Some albums are so packed with power, they're hard to describe. Somehow, I need to convey just how special this one really is... When I first heard of the group's existence, I imagined a chorus of rough, poorly trained voices joined together in enthusiastic but unremarkable song.I couldn't have been more wrong.”
Mining the Soul Tour
By June Heywood
“...Under the direction of Jack O'Donnell, the rich, robust and earthy voices of The Men continued with numbers like Gordon Lightfoot's “Sweet Guinevere” and the finger-clicking crowd pleasers like “Sixteen Tons”... To The Men of the Deeps - we welcome your return.”
ROYAL THEATRE - Victoria, BC
Live concert with the Canadian icon -Rita MacNeil –
MINING THE SOUL TOUR cross Canada
“They are North America's only male chorus.Based in Cape Breton,Nova Scotia, this chorus is comprised of not only retired coal miners, but also working miners, ranging in age from their mid-thirties to their late seventies. They have been together since 1967, and have performed in China, Yugoslavia, the US and Canada. Their musicaldirector,John C. O'Donnellwasalsoawarded the Order of Canada for his work with the group...
'The Men of the Deeps' made their entrance throughthe audience. Walking smartly down the aisles of the darkened theatre, with their headlamps burning brightly. It created quite a stir in the audience ... From thetraditional folk songs - we were alsotreated to the contemporary Irish ballad “Emigrant Eyes,” and “Plain Ole Miner Boy.” However, the song which I think caught me most off guard was a lively interpretation of “Workingin A Coal Mine.” It had me laughing with surprised delight. There was also a wonderful display of jigging by Johnny Flatley and the final song“Working Man” broughta thunderous standing ovation.”