Watch Silence of the North

Silence of the North is a 1981 drama film directed by Allan King and starring Ellen Burstyn, Tom Skerritt, and Gordon Pinsent. The film is based on the true story of a woman named Olive Frederickson and her husband who move to the remote Canadian North to run a trading post in the 1950s. The movie begins with Olive and her husband arriving in a small town in Northern Canada where they are welcomed by the locals. They settle in and start running the trading post, but Olive quickly becomes bored with her new life. She longs for excitement and adventure, something that she feels is lacking in the isolated community.

One day, while out on a hunting trip, Olive meets a man named John (Skerritt), who lives alone in the wilderness. John is a rough and rugged individual, but Olive is immediately drawn to him. They begin a passionate affair, which causes tension between Olive and her husband.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising within the community. The local Inuit population is unhappy with the way they are being treated by the white traders, and there are rumors of a rebellion brewing. When the situation finally explodes, Olive finds herself caught in the middle.

Throughout the film, Burstyn delivers a powerful performance as Olive, portraying her character's conflicting emotions with honesty and depth. Skerritt's portrayal of John is equally impressive, capturing the spirit of a man who has chosen a solitary life in the wilderness.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the Canadian wilderness. The score is equally impressive, with haunting music that adds to the film's overall sense of isolation and loneliness.

One of the film's strengths is the way it portrays the indigenous Inuit population. Rather than being portrayed as one-dimensional caricatures, they are shown as complex individuals with their own beliefs and traditions. This adds depth to the film and makes it a more well-rounded portrayal of life in the Canadian North in the 1950s.

Overall, Silence of the North is a brilliant film that captures the beauty and harshness of life in the Canadian wilderness. Burstyn and Skerritt deliver powerful performances, and the film is a masterpiece of visual storytelling. It's a must-see for anyone interested in Canadian cinema or in the human experience.