You are here:

The Great Barrier

The Great Barrier

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

1937

Approved

Director

Milton Rosmer, Geoffrey Barkas

Runtime

83 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Great Barrier is a period drama centered on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. As a 1937 production, it reflects the social hierarchies and colonial perspectives prevalent in early 20th-century cinema. The film functions as a chronicle of institutional and territorial achievement. It prioritizes the values of industrialism and Western expansionism over diverse character perspectives. Ultimately, the narrative structure reinforces traditional social, racial, and gender hierarchies rather than challenging them.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Great Barrier have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on industrial expansion and historical drama. There is no indication of LGBTQ+ identities or critiques of the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does The Great Barrier portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on a male-dominated labor endeavor. Men act as the primary drivers of progress, while women likely occupy domestic or supportive roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Great Barrier?

Limited

The narrative centers on the Anglo-European experience of expansion. Indigenous populations may appear, but likely through a colonial lens without significant control over their own lives.

How does The Great Barrier represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film celebrates industrial progress and national infrastructure. It aligns with Western values of expansionism and the triumph of engineering over nature.

Does The Great Barrier include disability representation?

Minimal

Physical injury may be used as a plot device to signify the cost of progress. There is no evidence of neurodivergent representation or characters with real control over their actions.

Present on Screen

  • Provides a historical look at the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
  • Captures the era's focus on industrial progress and engineering achievements.

Limited or Absent

  • Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Reinforces traditional gender hierarchies by centering male labor.
  • Uses a colonial lens regarding indigenous populations.
  • Offers minimal control to characters with disabilities or neurodivergence.

Official Synopsis

The building of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

How are these scores produced? →

Where to Watch

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.