Bringemovies
← Browse Movies
The Road to Patriation
TITLE DETAILS

The Road to Patriation

1982-04-14 · 94 min · ★ 9.0

Documentary

This feature documentary retraces the century of haggling by successive federal and provincial governments to agree on a formula to bring home the Canadian Constitution from England. This film concentrates on the politicking and lobbying that finally led to its patriation in 1982. Five prime ministers had failed before Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau took up the challenge in the early 1970s. Principal players in this documentary are federal Minister of Justice Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister Trudeau, 10 provincial premiers and a host of journalists, politicians, lawyers, and diplomats on both sides of the Atlantic.

Open detail page

Trailers are previews, not full movies.

No authorized playback source configured. Use the legal watch options below.

Production details

Directors
Robert A. Duncan
Production companies
ONF | NFB
Countries
Canada
Status
Released

Top Cast

Alan MaitlandNarrator (voice)
Pierre Elliott TrudeauPierre Elliott TrudeauSelf (archive footage)
Jean ChrétienJean ChrétienSelf (archive footage)

Title information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.

Where to watch

Availability provided by JustWatch via TMDb. Offers can change. Provider links are listed on TMDb; full playback requires a separately authorized source.

Availability not listed for this country.

Recommendations

Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem
★ 6.5
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem2025Documentary

Rob Ford scandalized Canadian politics as the brash yet beloved mayor of Toronto — until an infamous video of him smoking crack sparked his downfall.

The Corporation
★ 7.6
The Corporation2003Documentary

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

Capital in the Twenty-First Century
★ 6.5
Capital in the Twenty-First Century2019Documentary

Film adaptation of French economist Thomas Piketty's ground-breaking global bestseller of the same name: an eye-opening journey through wealth and power.

Stories We Tell
★ 7.1
Stories We Tell2012Documentary

Canadian actress and filmmaker Sarah Polley investigates certain secrets related to her mother, interviewing a group of family members and friends whose reliability varies depending on their implication in the events, which are remembered in different ways; so a trail of questions remains to be answered, because memory is always changing and the discovery of truth often depends on who is telling the tale.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me
★ 6.1
Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me2023Documentary

From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.

The Class of ‘92
★ 7.1
The Class of ‘922013Documentary

A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four
★ 6.8
Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four2015Documentary

A history of the ill-fated 1994 production of “The Fantastic Four” that was executive produced by Roger Corman.

The War Room
★ 6.8
The War Room1993Documentary

A behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign, focusing on the adventures of spin doctors James Carville and George Stephanopoulos.

50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments
★ 7.5
50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments2011Documentary

To mark the release two weeks ago of the eighth and final movie in the series, Robbie Coltrane narrates a countdown of the movie franchise's best moments. From Harry's first meeting with Ron and Hermione aboard the Hogwarts Express through to magical mysteries.

Seduced and Abandoned
★ 6.2
Seduced and Abandoned2013Documentary

SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.

Sidney
★ 6.9
Sidney2022Documentary

This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.

Casting By
★ 6.9
Casting By2012Documentary

This essential new documentary pays tribute to the legacy of the late, legendary casting director Marion Dougherty and shines a light on one of the most overlooked and least understood crafts in filmmaking.

Drew: The Man Behind the Poster
★ 7.0
Drew: The Man Behind the Poster2013Documentary

A documentary on legendary movie-poster artist Drew Struzan.

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
★ 7.2
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/202022Documentary

An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.

A Toxic Love Story
★ 6.5
A Toxic Love Story2026Documentary

A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.

A Decade Under the Influence
★ 7.9
A Decade Under the Influence2003Documentary

A documentary examining the decade of the 1970s as a turning point in American cinema. Some of today's best filmmakers interview the influential directors of that time.

The Skywalker Legacy
★ 7.9
The Skywalker Legacy2020Documentary

The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Directed by John Ford
★ 7.0
Directed by John Ford1971Documentary

A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.

Come See Me in the Good Light
★ 7.0
Come See Me in the Good Light2025Documentary

In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.

Looking for Richard
★ 6.8
Looking for Richard1996Documentary

Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."

Similar titles

Cree Code Talker
Not rated
Cree Code Talker2016Documentary

CREE CODE TALKER reveals the role of Canadian Cree code talker Charles 'Checker' Tomkins during the Second World War. Digging deep into the US archives it depicts the true story of Charles' involvement with the US Air Force and the development of the code talkers communication system, which was used to transmit crucial military communications, using the Cree language as a vital secret weapon in combat.

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Indian Rights for Indian Women2018Documentary

Three intrepid women battle for Indigenous women's treaty rights.

America at War
★ 8.0
America at War2025Documentary

An examination of the United States’ involvement in war, focusing on its impact on political decisions, national identity, and the lives of its people.

Bowling for Columbine
★ 7.5
Bowling for Columbine2002Documentary

This is not a film about gun control. It is a film about the fearful heart and soul of the United States, and the 280 million Americans lucky enough to have the right to a constitutionally protected Uzi. From a look at the Columbine High School security camera tapes to the home of Oscar-winning NRA President Charlton Heston, from a young man who makes homemade napalm with The Anarchist's Cookbook to the murder of a six-year-old girl by another six-year-old. Bowling for Columbine is a journey through the US, through our past, hoping to discover why our pursuit of happiness is so riddled with violence.

Hiver 54 : L'Abbé Pierre et l'insurrection de la bonté
★ 7.7
Hiver 54 : L'Abbé Pierre et l'insurrection de la bonté2024Documentary

Nanook of the North
★ 7.1
Nanook of the North1922Documentary

This pioneering documentary film depicts the lives of the indigenous Inuit people of Canada's northern Quebec region. Although the production contains some fictional elements, it vividly shows how its resourceful subjects survive in such a harsh climate, revealing how they construct their igloo homes and find food by hunting and fishing. The film also captures the beautiful, if unforgiving, frozen landscape of the Great White North, far removed from conventional civilization.

The Last Supper (Whisper)
Not rated
The Last Supper (Whisper)2025Documentary

Story of 3 former political prisoners in the era of the anti-democratic Soeharto regime. They were a musician named MARKUS TALAM in a Buru Island concentration camp prison for 10 years, a radioman named SUKIMAN and an ordinary farmer named SUYATMAN both were detained in Blitar, East Java prison for 1 year, all without a judicial process. A military operation codenamed “TRISULA” was carried out in the South Blitar area, East Java, to purge the remnants of the members of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). They weren’t communists, just ordinary farmers who had been caught in that military operation, some of their family members were killed and tortured. Trauma haunts them throughout their lives and justice never served them. Through whispered stories, they hope that in their twilight they will get justice to restore political and citizen rights that were seized by the regime. This film is a story of a long and winding road with a big question, will justice come to those who are oppressed?

Una festa per la città - Venezia 1973
★ 8.5
Una festa per la città - Venezia 19732023Documentary

Festival Express
★ 7.2
Festival Express2003Documentary

The filmed account of a large Canadian rock festival train tour boasting major acts. In the summer of 1970, a chartered train crossed Canada carrying some of the world's greatest rock bands. The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, The Band, Buddy Guy, and others lived (and partied) together for five days, stopping in major cities along the way to play live concerts. Their journey was filmed.

Four Nations Facing Off
Not rated
Four Nations Facing Off2025Documentary

In perhaps the most emotional release of the year, Captain Canada aka Sidney Crosby lets us know that Four Nations are... what? Watch this 1hr long masterpiece, created by FierySharky (Twitter), in order to find out.

The Land Above The Trees
★ 10.0
The Land Above The Trees1988Documentary

Documentary about a place in Canada above the tree line.

From Atatürk to Erdoğan: Building a Nation
★ 7.0
From Atatürk to Erdoğan: Building a Nation2019Documentary

Turkey's history has been shaped by two major political figures: Mustafa Kemal (1881-1934), known as Atatürk, the Father of the Turks, founder of the modern state, and the current president Recep Tayyıp Erdoğan, who apparently wants Turkey to regain the political and military pre-eminence it had as an empire under the Ottoman dynasty.

Bad River
★ 6.8
Bad River2024Documentary

Wisconsin's tribe's ongoing fight to protect Lake Superior for future generations. "Bad River" shows the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's long history of activism and resistance in the context of continuing legal battles with Enbridge Energy over its Line 5 oil pipeline. The Line 5 pipeline has been operating on 12 miles of the Bad River Band's land with expired easements for more than a decade. The Band and the Canadian company have been locked in a legal battle over the pipeline since 2019.

The Fence
Not rated
The Fence2020Documentary

Two thousand Canadians suffered the longest incarceration anywhere in the Second World War, a bitter four-year period inside Japanese POW camps in Hong Kong and Japan.

Poster unavailable
★ 7.0
Portraits of Canada1987Documentary

A Circle-Vision 360 degree film capturing the sites, sounds, and people of Canada.

We The North: From Prehistoric to Historic
Not rated
We The North: From Prehistoric to Historic2025Documentary

A basketball team born out of an egg, in a hockey-crazed city, playing in a baseball stadium, fights for survival and ultimately conquers a nation and the league. This documentary offers an in-depth look at how a fledgling franchise transformed into a cultural phenomenon, uniting communities and reshaping Canada's identity.

Inbound
★ 6.0
Inbound2025Documentary

Documenting the shared trajectory between Canada’s rise as a global basketball powerhouse and the circumstances that helped shape the country’s multicultural identity.

The Conspiracy - Assasination in Beirut
★ 8.0
The Conspiracy - Assasination in Beirut2024Documentary

Poster unavailable
Not rated
Karihwanoron: Precious Things2017Documentary

Yagorihwanirats, a Mohawk child from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec, attends a unique and special school: Karihwanoron. It is a Mohawk immersion program that teaches Mohawk language, culture and philosophy. Yagorihwanirats is so excited to go to school that she never wants to miss a day – even if she is sick.

The Secret Order
★ 8.0
The Secret Order2022Documentary

Phil Comeau shines a spotlight on the Ordre de Jacques-Cartier, a powerful secret society that operated from 1926 to 1965, infiltrating every sector of Canadian society and forging the fate of French-language communities. Through never-before-heard testimony from former members of the Order, along with historically accurate dramatic reconstructions, this film paints a gripping portrait of the social and political struggles of Canadian francophone-minority communities.

Your favorites

Recently viewed

Watch

Choose an authorized server.

Full video from an operator-configured authorized source. Official trailers use a separate player. If a server fails, retry or select another authorized server.

Legal watch options

Official trailer

Trailer preview only. Press Play to start.

Privacy choices

Favorites stay in your browser. Movie images load from TMDb. YouTube trailers contact YouTube only after you allow external media and choose a trailer. Advertising consent, if ads are enabled, is managed separately by the operator’s certified CMP.

Privacy policy

After allowing external media, choose the trailer button to load its player.