Colin Low

Colin Low Trailers

Moving Pictures TrailerMomentum TrailerEmergency Trailer

Colin Archibald Low CM RCA (July 24, 1926 – February 24, 2016) was a Canadian animation and documentary filmmaker with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). He was known as a pioneer, one of Canada's most important filmmakers, and was regularly referred to as "the gentleman genius". His numerous honors include five BAFTA awards, eight Cannes Film Festival awards, and six Academy Award nominations. Low was born and raised in Cardston, Alberta, to Gerald and Marion Low, ranchers who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The town borders the Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe), which later became the subject of two of his films; his 1960 film Circle of the Sun marked the first time the Kainai Nation's sacred Sun Dance was filmed. Low studied graphic design and animation at the Banff School of Fine Arts and then the Calgary Institute of Technology. In 1946, while he was at the latter, the National Film Board of Canada was hiring and put out a call for student submissions; one of Low's teachers suggested that he send in his portfolio and, a week later, he was hired by the prominent NFB filmmaker Norman McLaren. McLaren placed Low under the tutelage of George Dunning, who would act as his mentor for five years. To hone his animation skills, he was also put to work with NFB animator Evelyn Lambart. Low was recognized as a filmmaker in 1949. In 1950, he was appointed Head of the Animation Unit. From 1972 to 1976, he was an executive producer for the NFB's Studio C; in 1976, he became Director of Regional Production. He would stay with the NFB for the rest of his life, making 203 films and acting as a researcher and advisor on many others. He officially retired in 1997, but continued to write about animation and large-format film, and to work on film projects.

Most Popular Colin Low Trailers

Total trailers found: 89

A Pinto for the Prince Trailer (1979)

01 January 1979

In 1977, Prince Charles was inducted as honorary chief of the Blood Indians on their reserve in southwestern Alberta.

Seven Surprizes Trailer (1963)

01 January 1963

A compilation of seven shorts made for the National Film Board of Canada. Features the NFBC shorts, "Nahanni," "Le Merle," "A Chairy Tale," "The Cars in Your Life," "Corral," "Wrestling," and "Neighbors.

Gold Trailer (1955)

01 September 1955

A description of placer gold mining in the Yukon. East of Dawson City giant dredges cut deep into the creek beds, leaving behind monstrous coils of waste as the gold-bearing gravel is washed.

The Contour Connection Trailer (1983)

01 January 1983

As part of a geography course, students learn to do topographical surveys. A stroll at the Champlain lookout, in the Outaouais region, will allow them to familiarize themselves with the different methods in use from Samuel de Champlain to the present day.

Pot-pourri Trailer (1962)

07 April 1962

A selection of publicity clips mounted together in one film to show the techniques of NFB animators. As in Hors-d'oeuvre, these "quickie" films were produced originally for government agencies, to carry messages to the public.

The Living Machine Trailer (1962)

01 January 1962

In two half-hour parts, The Living Machine explores the progress made in electronics technology and looks forward to an exciting world-to-be.

No Way They Want to Slow Down Trailer (1976)

01 January 1976

Filmmaker Giles Walker takes an informal look at how our best skiers work and live. Filmed in 1976, this short movie follows the Canadian ski team on a tight schedule in Chile and Argentina.

A is for Architecture Trailer (1959)

01 January 1959

This short documentary offers a panorama of ancient cities, palaces and temples whose splendor has awed mankind.

Standing Alone Trailer (1982)

10 March 1982

Pete Standing Alone is a Blood Indian who, as a young man, was more at home in the White man's culture than his own.

My Financial Career Trailer (1962)

01 October 1962

A neurotic man relates his unsuccessful attempt to open a simple savings account at a bank.

The Winds of Fogo Trailer (1970)

04 October 1970

"Fogo is a windswept island off the coast of Newfoundland where the inhabitants for generations have lived by, on and from the sea.

Lumsden Trailer (1975)

01 January 1975

Lumsden, Saskatchewan is a town of 850 citizens on a river called the Qu'Appelle. In the spring of 1974, the river doubled its volume and threatened to flood the town.

The Hutterites Trailer (1964)

01 January 1964

A look at the Hutterites, an Anabaptist religious community similar to the Amish or the Mennonites in rural Alberta.

The Days of Whisky Gap Trailer (1961)

01 January 1961

Rousing tales of the North-West Mounted Police are brought to life through photos and artists' sketches.

Momentum Trailer (1992)

20 April 1992

Go head-to-head with an icebreaker. Plunge down a twisting mountain gorge. Soar through the clouds in the nosecone of a jet, then speed along with a dog team as it races across a frozen Arctic lake.

The Romance of Transportation in Canada Trailer (1952)

01 January 1952

A humorous survey of the history of the development of transportation technology in Canada.

Freshwater World Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

This documentary explores a variety of projects undertaken by scientists at Environment Canada's Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg to study the processes that pollute or disrupt clean and balanced freshwater environments.

The Founding of the Co-operatives Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

A record of the founding meeting of the Fogo Island Ship Building and Producer Co-operative.

The Boat That Ian Built Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

The amazing success story of the Laser, a thirteen-foot sailboat built by Ian Bruce of Pointe Claire, Québec, and of Performance Sailcraft, the company he formed to produce and market it.

Coming Home Trailer (1973)

30 June 1973

The film documents Bill Reid's own trip home to visit his parents in Sarnia, Ontario, and the family's conversations about the communication difficulties and generational differences in values that have complicated their familial relationship.

In the Labyrinth Trailer (1967)

28 April 1967

"Labyrinth" is a groundbreaking multi-screen 45-minute presentation produced for Chamber III of the Labyrinth at Expo 67 in Montreal, using 35 mm and 70 mm film projected simultaneously on multiple screens.

Jim Decker Builds a Longliner Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

By using film as a catalyst for change, the people of Fogo Island, Newfoundland, voice some of their daily concerns.

Universe Trailer (1960)

01 May 1960

A triumph of film art, creating on the screen a vast, awe-inspiring picture of the universe as it would appear to a voyager through space, this film was among the sources of inspiration used by Stanley Kubrick for his 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Free Fall Trailer (1964)

01 January 1964

An experimental film from Arthur Lipsett, Free Fall is an assortment of film trimmings assembled to make a wry comment on humankind in today’s world.

Christ Is Risen Trailer (1976)

01 January 1976

Easter service takes place in the Russian Orthodox church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Montréal. The depth of emotion touched by this ancient ceremony is reflected in the film.

In Praise of Hands Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

This short documentary pays tribute to the craftsmen everywhere whose work adds color and richness to life.

The Sword of the Lord Trailer (1976)

01 January 1976

This documentary records the extraordinary determination of Jungle Jim Hunter to be the best ski racer in the world.

Descent Trailer (1975)

01 January 1975

NFB short documentary

The New Alchemists Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

This short documentary profiles a community engaged in developing sustainable living methods, including food production and small-scale solar and wind technology, on a farm in Massachusetts in the 1970s.

Age of the Beaver Trailer (1952)

31 December 1952

This film provides a brief history of the fur trade in Canada, showing its effects on exploration and settlement.

The Merchant and the Teacher Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

This short film presents a discussion about the role of merchants on Fogo Island, and of the feasibility of cooperatives.

Introduction to Fogo Island Trailer (1968)

01 January 1968

This film introduces the Fogo Island/Newfoundland Project series which is an experiment in how film can be a catalyst for social change by serving as a direct means of communication.

Time and Terrain Trailer (1948)

01 January 1948

Millions of years scroll by in 10 minutes, illustrated by ingenious designers: this is the geological history of Canada.

I Don't Think It's Meant for Us... Trailer (1971)

01 January 1971

Tenants of public housing in Ottawa challenge the process of managing public housing projects in meetings with federal, provincial and municipal officials.

Moving Pictures Trailer (2000)

30 March 2000

The horrors of war, the art of producing pictures, the autobiography of a master filmmaker and the parallels between the mass production of weapons and violent media images--all come together in Moving Pictures, a rich, multi-layered documentary.

Kainai Trailer (1973)

01 January 1973

On the Kainai (Blood) First Nations Reserve, near Cardston, Alberta, a hopeful new development in Indigenous enterprise.

Very Nice, Very Nice Trailer (1961)

01 January 1961

Arthur Lipsett's first film is an avant-garde blend of photography and sound. It looks behind the business-as-usual face we put on life and shows anxieties we want to forget.

Corral Trailer (1954)

01 April 1954

Corral is a 1954 National Film Board of Canada documentary by Colin Low, partly shot in the Cochrane Ranch in what is now Cochrane, Alberta.

McGraths at Home and Fishing Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

A discussion about Fogo Island fishing, with some criticisms of the longliners.

The Living Stone Trailer (1958)

04 February 1958

The Living Stone is a 1958 Canadian short documentary film directed by John Feeney about Inuit art. It shows the inspiration behind Inuit sculpture.

21-87 Trailer (1963)

24 April 1963

This short film from Arthur Lipsett is an abstract collage of snippets from discarded footage found by Lipsett in the editing room of the National Film Board (where he worked as an animator), combined with his own black and white 16mm footage shot on the streets of Montreal and New York City, among other locations.

King of the Hill Trailer (1974)

01 October 1974

This feature documentary follows one of the greatest Canadian baseball players of all time, Ferguson Jenkins, through the 1972-1973 season.

William Wells Talks About The Island Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

William Wells defends the viability of Fogo Island and expresses his apprehension about the exodus of young people.

Citizen Discussions Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

By using film as a means of communication, the people of Fogo Island, Newfoundland, voice some of their concerns.

Billy Crane Moves Away Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

This short documentary features Newfoundland fisherman Billy Crane, who speaks frankly on the state of the inshore fishery and how the lack of government support has contributed to the industry’s downfall.

The Story of the Up Top Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

The story of how one Fogo Island family managed to raise an old passenger boat from where it had been sitting for four years, and to renovate it for use as a fishing boat, despite lack of capital and government aid.

Cree Hunters of Mistassini Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

An NFB crew filmed a group of three families, Cree hunters from Mistassini. Since times predating agriculture, this First Nations people have gone to the bush of the James Bay and Ungava Bay area to hunt.

Circle of the Sun Trailer (1961)

15 August 1961

A young man of the Kainai Nation (Blood tribe) shows us contemporary life of people as he attends a Sun Dance ceremony with the tribe.

Blackwood Trailer (1976)

01 January 1976

This short film studies the works of one of Canada's greatest contemporary etchers - Newfoundland-born David Blackwood.

Some Problems of Fogo Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

By using film as a means of communication, the people of Fogo Island, Newfoundland, voice some of their daily concerns and thoughts about the future.

Cadet Rousselle Trailer (1947)

03 September 1947

Colourful puppets illustrate the old French song about Cadet Rousselle, who falls down a ladder, who trips on battlements, and whose dogs will not obey him.

Joe Kinsella on Education Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

Joe Kinsella talks about the problem of young people leaving Fogo Island after they finish their education.

When I Go - That's It! Trailer (1972)

01 January 1972

Ex-fisherman Billy Crane in Brampton, Ontario, at an industrial job with regular hours. Here he tells why he left Fogo Island and says he has no regrets.

A Woman's Place Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

Two women discuss the roles and problems of women, education, and shopping on Fogo Island.

Appetizers Trailer (1960)

01 January 1960

A collection of one-minute cartoons produced by the National Film Board of Canada animators for government sponsors.

Alberta Girls Trailer (1975)

01 January 1975

This is a short film about the Alberta All Girls Band Spectacular. The Edmonton-based band was invited to open the 1974 World Cup Soccer Championship at the Munich Olympic Stadium.

In Search of the Bowhead Whale Trailer (1974)

01 May 1974

This adventure film features Scott McVay, an authority on whales, and filmmaker Bill Mason. The objective was to film the bowhead, a magnificent inhabitant of the cold Arctic seas brought to the edge of extinction by overfishing.

Los Canadienses Trailer (1976)

01 January 1976

This feature documentary profiles the brave Canadians who fought in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939.

Jim Decker's Party Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

A rollicking Newfoundland party on Fogo Island.

Earthware Trailer (1975)

01 January 1975

This short, impressionistic film takes us to Nigeria, Japan, Mexico and India, where craftsmen work clay to produce ritual vessels and everyday objects.