The National Dream, Ep. 8: The Last Spike | History Documentary 

Thanks for uploading this -- I've waited fifty years to see it again! Still an exciting, memorable, at times moving series that deserves to be much better known and appreciated.

Many of the extra soldiers in this episode were actually serving members of The Royal Regiment of Canada who trace their history back to the 10th Battalion, Royal Grenadiers, also The Queen's Own rifles of Canada and The Governor-General's Horse Guards who brought their horses with them. The NCO with the impressive moustache was CSM Keron Platt CD from the Royals. These regiments took part in the North-West Rebellion back in 1885. Much of this filming was in Toronto and up by Espanola, Ontario and it was cold too!

What a great series! Thank you for posting it!

Didn't make the cut obviously, but John A. Macdonald did come to BC and drove the last spike in a railway, for the E&N near Shawnigan Lake, 9 months after the CPR at Craigellachie. It was the only time he ever visited his riding (recall from an earlier episode, he lost his seat at Kingston in 1878, despite his party winning a majority, and after a few maneuvers returned via a Victoria by-election).

Thank you for posting this. I loved this series when it was first broadcast, and it is just as good today.

My late husband was an extra in this movie....all 1 second of him.😊

What a great and pleasant surprise to see kamloops lake at the end.❤❤❤

This was a pretty big deal with the Union Pacific's completion only a little before, the main reason the line was built in such rough terrain was that it kept the route as southerly as possible to assert the British Empires designs on Canada before the U.S. laid claim to the British Columbia southwest.

I have a very distinct memory of when this series concluded, there was a series of images of the actors in their roles side by side with historic photos of the people they played. I wonder if this was perhaps part of a post-series special broadcast?

When pierre berton pass away the country lost great man.cbc own him a lot.when this was on tv it was big deal in canada this.i read book twice.i work se bc coal 1980-88 and i saw my own eye when cprail built new tunnel mcdonald it was insane even with modern equipment.the country is greatfull built this thing.people around world visist banff lac louise and famous railway.thank video about this important nation dream.😊

I have the Canadian pacific railroad last spike