Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Robert W. Granted it would seem that much of Shattered City is fictional, it is only BASED on fact as most films are. Nonetheless this is a great triumph for Canadian History to introduce everyone to a devastating event that still is one of the largest of it's kind in World History. Even still the film is only in small part about the actual explosion that rocked Halifax by a French ship carrying an unprecedented amount of munitions. The rest of the film is a story about a family dealing with the harsh realities of World War 1 and a Captain returned if only briefly to them with horrible memories of the deaths of his fallen friends.Vincent Walsh leads the cast as this Captain. He's young and a great presence on screen, without a doubt one of the great Canadian Actors I've ever seen. He is intense and emotional as Charlie Collins and a stand out performance. I have to say that with the exception of a few minor performances the rest of the cast are very much supportive to Walsh. Their roles are small and there are a lot of characters in the film...too many to have any major stand out performances. They all do well...some worth mentioning are the younger members of the cast...Clare Stone, and Max Morrow, as well as Tamara Hope, and Lynne Griffin as the mother of the Collin's family. Everyone plays a role and they do it quite well. Nobody drags down the story which eventually builds up to the horrifying explosion which is done in a brilliant and terrifying fashion. Director and Canadian Bruce Pittman does exactly what is needed to give the film the Canadian Uniqueness and importance while still making it mainstream and watchable for anyone.The Film captures the essence of the time, and war, and the people that founded this country. They also show a time when Canadians pulled together to help each other and save lives. The film is very long, an epic length for sure and although sometimes it drags a little I believe the importance of the film and the quality of it outweighs it's slightly overdone length. It now sits on my table in the same group as Anne Of Green Gables which is a high order in my books. For those who are complaining about it's fictional content just remember that 99% of American made films about history are wrought with added dramatics and to finally have a Canadian Epic of this caliber at all is enough to accept the dramatic content. The only other critical point I can make is that the sub story about the German spies preparing to bomb the fleet never is dealt with or much mentioned after the explosion, I think it was perhaps avoidable and could have edited out but nonetheless every Canadian should see this film and history buffs will love it!! 7/10

andrea-45 I have to thank CBC, actually, for making this movie. Before a visit to Halifax on the QE2, I had never heard of the Explosion (typical American - although, in fact, I'm Canadian-born). But even seeing the great memorial didn't really register the extent of the disaster until I saw the movie. Yes, characters were combined or fictionalized in some cases, but that is absolutely secondary to the portrayal of that horrific episode in Canadian history. The effects of the blast were particularly well done. I hope it plays again, as indeed it should every couple of years or so, to remind us all of both the losses and the bravery incurred that day.

Shelly-30 (This may contain spoilers.)'Shattered City' focuses on the fictional Collins family at the time of the Halifax Explosion, mainly the celebrated son, Patrick, who has just returned from the war. Before he can return to the front, the explosion occurs; and he must help his family survive.The acting and the effects were fantastic, along with the other minute production details, which is very characteristic of the CBC's productions. Yet, in parts, it tends to to drag a little; and we aren't given a sufficient back story for some of the characters. As well, it probably would've done better as a three-hour-long made-for-TV movie instead of a two-part miniseries. I'd also take into account the fact that this is the first movie centred around this important part of Canadian history; and, eventually, there may be more about it.Not too bad (I give this an 8); but it could've been improved upon.

clydesdale15 It was nice to see another good movie about the Maritimes. There were certain things that lacked or needed more explanation, but on the whole it was an enjoyable movie based on true events. Most people have never even heard of the Halifax explosion; so, this movie should provide some info. The actors did a good job portraying their characters. It was wonderful to see Zachary Bennett (Ernest) again, whom most would remember as Felix King in the "Road to Avonlea" series. Unfortunately his character only appears in the first part and we never hear of him after that. This is a good movie to sit back in the evening and enjoy.