The Road to Patriation (1982): cast, story & where to watch

1982 · Film · ★ 9

The Road to Patriation poster

Released in 1982, The Road to Patriation is a documentary film directed by Robert A. Duncan, running about 94 minutes.

What it’s about. 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.

Who’s in it. The Road to Patriation stars Alan Maitland as Narrator (voice), Pierre Elliott Trudeau as Self (archive footage) and Jean Chrétien as Self (archive footage).

How it landed. With an audience score of 9.0/10, The Road to Patriation sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Road to Patriation page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Road to Patriation tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch The Road to Patriation (1982)?
Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Road to Patriation change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
Is The Road to Patriation worth watching?
The Road to Patriation holds an audience score of 9.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
Who stars in The Road to Patriation?
The Road to Patriation stars Alan Maitland, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Jean Chrétien.
When was The Road to Patriation released?
The Road to Patriation was released in 1982, with a runtime of about 94 minutes.