Introduction
The Valour and The Horror
Table of Contents of Producers Reply
In January of 1992, three two hour films were broadcast in English and French respectively on the CBC, and Radio-Canada television networks. These films, which constitute The Valour and the Horrorseries, were produced by Galafilm Inc. in co-production with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board of Canada. They tell little-known stories of Canadian soldiers in combat during World War II.
The first, Savage Christmas: Hong Kong 1941, deals with the sacrificial battle to defend Hong Kong and the ordeal of those taken prisoner of war. The second, Death by Moonlight: Bomber Command, details the massive bombing campaign against Germany in which almost 10,000 Canadian air crew lost their lives. The third, In Desperate Battle: Normandy 1944, examines the first two months, a difficult and bloody two months, of the 1st Canadian Army's campaign in Normandy.
In all, about six million viewers watched the telecasts in English and French, and the reaction that ensued was remarkable, both in magnitude and scope. On the one hand, the series aired to critical acclaim, as well as to the praise of the viewing public at large, from coast to coast. On the other hand, two of the films came under vociferous attack from some veterans and veterans' groups, and certain military historians.
The following months saw a sustained debate, as veterans, historians, writers, critics, and members of the viewing public presented their views, some in support of the series, some against.
The criticism engendered an official response by three distinct bodies. First, in response to the objections raised, the Senate Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs held hearings in June and November of 1992 to "examine the authenticity of the film production The Valour and the Horror." (Their report, critical of the second and third films in the series, was released in January, 1993.) On the 10th of November, 1992, the CBC Ombudsman added his voice to that of the detractors, publishing a report that claimed the series was flawed, and failed to measure up to the CBC's journalistic policies and standards. Finally, on December 17, 1992, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), responding to complaints it had received about the series, reported that the series did not contravene broadcasting guidelines as set forth in the Broadcasting Act and the Television Broadcasting Regulations, 1987. On the specific matter of allegations of significant historical inaccuracies, the CRTC's report stated, "While many - including veterans, historians and the Ombudsman - have cited material which seems to indicate that parts of the films may have been incorrect, the filmmakers too, appear to have reasonable grounds for the assertions made in the series."
This document has been assembled in response to the criticisms that have been directed at The Valour and the Horror. It consists of three sections which provide the documentary and historical basis for Savage Christmas, Death by Moonlight, and In Desperate Battle.Also included are Supplements to Death by Moonlight, and In Desperate Battle, which consist of compilations of specific criticisms, dealing with alleged errors of fact in the films, and responses to these criticisms. Such a Supplement is not included for Savage Christmas, as it was subject to very little criticism.
Five appendices are included with this package. Appendix A is a transcript of Brian McKenna's brief to the Senate Sub-committee on Veterans Affairs, which is included to provide insight into why and how The Valour and the Horror came to be. Appendix B consists of the critical report of the CBC Ombudsman, which was issued on November 10, 1992. The filmmakers' response to the Ombudsman's report, issued later the same day, is included in Appendix C. Appendix D contains the findings of the CRTC, first made public on December 17, 1992. Finally, Appendix E consists of a sampling of the letters and comments of support and acclaim that have come from historians, writers, members of related organizations, veterans, families of veterans, the general public, and the print media.
