Dawson City: Frozen Time

Watch Dawson City: Frozen Time

"Film Was Born Of An Explosive."
  • 2016
  • 2 hr
  • 7.6  (2,111)
  • 86

Dawson City: Frozen Time is a 2016 documentary directed by Bill Morrison. The film tells the incredible story of how hundreds of silent films were discovered buried in a field in the small town of Dawson City, located in the Yukon Territory in northwestern Canada. The movie begins with a brief history of the town of Dawson City, which boomed during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 19th century. The town was a vital hub for prospectors on their way to the gold fields and during its heyday, it boasted a thriving economy, complete with dance halls, saloons, and even a red-light district.

The film then delves into the discovery of the films in 1978, when construction workers unearthed hundreds of reels of film that had been buried in a pile of rubble beneath an old ice rink. Most of the films were silent movies from the early 1900s, many of which were thought to have been lost forever. Morrison uses clips from the discovered films, mixed in with photographs and newsreels from the time, to create a narrative that paints a vivid picture of this fascinating era in early film history.

The film is structured in a way that takes the viewer on a journey through the history of the town and the development of early cinema. It covers everything from the early filming techniques of pioneers like the Lumière Brothers to the establishment of Hollywood and the rise of the studio system. Along the way, we learn about the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and more, as well as the often-overlooked role that women played in the industry at this time.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the film is the way that it intertwines the histories of the town and the movies. In many ways, the history of Dawson City is inextricably linked with the history of cinema, and the discovery of the films in 1978 was a fitting testament to this symbiotic relationship.

Morrison masterfully employs film clips, voiceovers, and interviews with historians and descendants of those who lived in the town during its heyday, to create a compelling narrative that keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

While the film covers a lot of ground, it never feels like it's trying to cram too much in. Morrison's direction is confident and assured, and he manages to strike a perfect balance between the historical context of the time and the fascinating story of the discovery of the films.

Overall, Dawson City: Frozen Time is a fascinating documentary that tells the story of an important discovery in film history while shedding light on a unique and fascinating era in North American history.

Dawson City: Frozen Time is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 86.

Dawson City: Frozen Time
Description
Where to Watch Dawson City: Frozen Time
Dawson City: Frozen Time is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Dawson City: Frozen Time for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2016
  • Runtime
    2 hr
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (2,111)
  • Metascore
    86