Fascinating! I'm sure that Sandy did her homework, and read up on Joan of Arc, as well as her own knowledge and memories of Joan, from Sandy's past. However, rather than go in with notes, cue cards, index cards, or whatever, this was extemporaneous. I've read up on this, and yes, believe it or not, this was Sandy, ad-libbing! And...my God! What an intelligent lady Sandy was. Sure, like any human being would have been, she was nervous, so misspoke, but so what? I was riveted by a performance, which I'm fairly sure, was done with one take, on TV. Sandy was a unique lady. She had beauty, intellect, kindness, talent, and wit. It's been over 30 years, since she died of cancer, at the youthful age of 54. I still miss her, deeply. And, I was damn lucky (or blessed), moreso than many: I met Sandy twice. She was charming, generous, giving, charismatic, enchanting, and incredibly beautiful, adorable, really. I still remember that lovely smile, and that twinkle in her eyes, and that soft voice.
I just LOVE Sandy Dennis... this was incredible. She makes her tics and speech patterns such an integral part of every character she played but they are all so different! I so regret she died so soon-- what a bevy of interesting older characters she might have played.
I am a Sandy Dennis fan I am glad that this performance of hers can be saved her on UA-cam. or overwise could be lost, she has a short be memorable acting career. I am a bit of a Francophile as well,, and I am always glad to learn something new about history, August 1st 2020
Among the most riveting 25 minutes of film ever. Sandy Dennis was brilliant. Then again, there really is no adjective to adequately describe her power as an actor.
Patrick Watson and Pierre Berton made great Canadian television.. "My country" and "Witness to Yesterday" were ahead of their time. Thank you for posting this gem.
Been looking for this for ages! The first series had some fantastic interviews. As a kid I would rush home to catch a daily rerun during lunch and learned a lot more than in school each day. Please post as many of these as you can find.
@@lionwag Patrick Watson, CC (December 23, 1929 - July 4, 2022) was a prolific and outspoken Canadian broadcaster, television and radio interviewer and host, author, .. A brilliant and exceptional tv series. RIP Patrick Watson 🕊🍁💜
Brilliant concept for a show and fascinating portrayals and content. Yes Socrates, Norman Bethune, George Bernard Shaw many great glimpses to spark our imagination and interest in historical figures. Thankyou and RIP Patrick Watson 🕊🍁🌠 Patrick Watson, CC (December 23, 1929 - July 4, 2022) was a prolific and outspoken Canadian broadcaster, television and radio interviewer and host, author, ...
Patric Watson seen here fully channeling Joan's inquisitors and Joan thoroughly passing the test once again with the bravery she showed centuries earlier! What a performance Sandy (and Patric).
where did you find this gem?! Sandy Dennis is one of the GREAT American actresses - up there with Page and Stanley. Such a shame very little of her work is available on UA-cam.
100 percent correct. Too many white people. Now if this show was made today they would should all the great black's that invented Western Civilization.
Sctv did a very funny take in this with John candy and a wonderfully comedic actress that I am not familiar with but was quite good in the sctv piece. Check it out. Witness to yesterday...
I sent emails to TVO a few years back. I think ownership of the series changed hands a few times and it's impossible to find. Some very fine actors and great storytelling in this original version of the program.
No. All of the episodes were scripted. However, they did allow the actors to improvise if the actors requested to do so. The episodes with Richard Dreyfuss (Billy The Kid) and Donald Sutherland (Norman Bethune) were almost entirely improvized. The Barry Morse as Shakespeare episode was partially improvized, as well as, I believe, the Mavor Moore as Socrates episode. These are ones to immediately come to mind. I'm not certain of the degree of improvization of the other episodes. Although, Watson, in his autobiography, writes favourably of the Dreyfuss, Sutherland, Morse and Moore performances, comments that he felt the episodes that strictly adhered to the scripts worked out better.
Sandy Dennis was such a genius. I believe that all of her work (even scripted) was highly improvised because she had the ability to "make it uniquely hers", because she thought so quickly in a way to make what she presented most Interesting and riveting to watch.
This Joan of Arc episode was the first and pilot episode of the series and aired on January 8, 1974. The first season of twenty episodes aired on Global TV in Canada, from January to May 1974. Another fifteen episodes aired on TVO from 1974 to 1976. TVO repeated all 35 episodes for years afterwards. Circa 1980/81 Watson wanted to revive the series, but ran into a dispute with the producer of the original series. A series of twelve (or thirteen) episodes of a copy-cat show called 'Titans' with Watson again hosting, aired on CITY-TV from July to September 1981. 'Titans' paled in comparison to the original 'Witness To Yesterday'. In 1998 the History Channel (Canada) aired twelve episodes of a revived 'Witness To Yesterday' with Patrick Watson again hosting (and co-directing, co-producing, co-writing). For the life of me, I cannot remember a single second of this reincarnation.
@@jackwhite4136 Yes, I also remember "Titans" -- with Aaron Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" as its musical theme -- but it was overproduced. Much better the face-à-face style of WTY with its minimalist staging. WTY is an example of the potential of television to engage and educate. Cheers.
In his autobiography, Watson writes that he considered these episodes more as two person dramas than realistic (historical) interviews. I'm guessing he as the interviewer is taking the place of an interrogator much like Joan actually encountered before her execution, and as a modern day, anti-religious, secular 'doubter'.
Fascinating! I'm sure that Sandy did her homework, and read up on Joan of Arc, as well as her own knowledge and memories of Joan, from Sandy's past. However, rather than go in with notes, cue cards, index cards, or whatever, this was extemporaneous. I've read up on this, and yes, believe it or not, this was Sandy, ad-libbing! And...my God! What an intelligent lady Sandy was. Sure, like any human being would have been, she was nervous, so misspoke, but so what? I was riveted by a performance, which I'm fairly sure, was done with one take, on TV. Sandy was a unique lady. She had beauty, intellect, kindness, talent, and wit. It's been over 30 years, since she died of cancer, at the youthful age of 54. I still miss her, deeply. And, I was damn lucky (or blessed), moreso than many: I met Sandy twice. She was charming, generous, giving, charismatic, enchanting, and incredibly beautiful, adorable, really. I still remember that lovely smile, and that twinkle in her eyes, and that soft voice.
I just LOVE Sandy Dennis... this was incredible.
She makes her tics and speech patterns such an integral part of every character she played but they are all so different!
I so regret she died so soon-- what a bevy of interesting older characters she might have played.
This is part of "witness for yesterday " TV series.
I wish they were all on here.
I am a Sandy Dennis fan I am glad that this performance of hers can be saved her on UA-cam. or overwise could be lost, she has a short be memorable acting career. I am a bit of a Francophile as well,, and I am always glad to learn something new about history, August 1st 2020
I love the acting of Sandy Dennis in that episode. She spoke as if she was just having a conversation with someone, and it didn't seem like acting.
One of the best actresses I've ever seen.
She is superb in that role.
Find the original sweet November with Sandy Dennis.
Among the most riveting 25 minutes of film ever. Sandy Dennis was brilliant. Then again, there really is no adjective to adequately describe her power as an actor.
She's so wonderful here.......completely immersed in the role. Enormously talented actress.
We need all the full episodes of this series on youtube!
Someone tried but was unsuccessful :-(
Patrick Watson and Pierre Berton made great Canadian television.. "My country" and "Witness to Yesterday" were ahead of their time. Thank you for posting this gem.
Been looking for this for ages! The first series had some fantastic interviews. As a kid I would rush home to catch a daily rerun during lunch and learned a lot more than in school each day. Please post as many of these as you can find.
I wish I could find more. Both actors are dead and the company that produced it no longer exists.
@@lionwag Patrick Watson is still kicking.
@@lionwag Patrick Watson, CC (December 23, 1929 - July 4, 2022) was a prolific and outspoken Canadian broadcaster, television and radio interviewer and host, author, .. A brilliant and exceptional tv series. RIP Patrick Watson 🕊🍁💜
This was a great show. There are so many episodes that would be great to see again. I remember enjoying the one interviewing Socrates.
I remember one where Donald Sutherland portrayed Norman Bethune.
Brilliant concept for a show and fascinating portrayals and content. Yes Socrates, Norman Bethune, George Bernard Shaw many great glimpses to spark our imagination and interest in historical figures. Thankyou and RIP Patrick Watson 🕊🍁🌠
Patrick Watson, CC (December 23, 1929 - July 4, 2022) was a prolific and outspoken Canadian broadcaster, television and radio interviewer and host, author, ...
I’m from Detroit area and used to watch this show when Global TV first went on the air from Windsor in 1974.
I loved this show. He also interviewed Dr. Norman Bethune (Donald Sutherland). Another riveting interview. I'd love to see that again .
First rate portrayal of a true Legend. RIP Jeanne de Arc.
I remember watching this show as a kid and thinking how cool it was
Patric Watson seen here fully channeling Joan's inquisitors and Joan thoroughly passing the test once again with the bravery she showed centuries earlier! What a performance Sandy (and Patric).
She was one of the best. RIP
Such a wonderful talent. Love her!
where did you find this gem?! Sandy Dennis is one of the GREAT American actresses - up there with Page and Stanley. Such a shame very little of her work is available on UA-cam.
This was part of a television series broadcast on the Ontario Canada educational network in the late '70s
I actually didn’t realize she was acting until a few minutes in.😄
She reminds me so much of Geraldine Page.
Pretty good video , I always enjoyed her as an actress .
Witness to Yesterday deserves a box set release.
wow loved this show.
This was a great series.
The best of times.
Why doesn't CBC release this series?
Too white too true and too historical accurate
100 percent correct. Too many white people. Now if this show was made today they would should all the great black's that invented Western Civilization.
That's correct, too many white people. In the future the left will eliminate all whites from history@@davidconnellan6875
loved this show, is it on dvd anyone ???
Wow ! Dennis takes on the impossible and succeeds !
Sctv did a very funny take in this with John candy and a wonderfully comedic actress that I am not familiar with but was quite good in the sctv piece. Check it out. Witness to yesterday...
Brenda Donohue was the actress.
anybody know where there are more of this series??
I sent emails to TVO a few years back. I think ownership of the series changed hands a few times and it's impossible to find. Some very fine actors and great storytelling in this original version of the program.
Sandy *is* Joan!
The interview on SCTV was more revealing.
Bob was her boyfriend and wore beige leisure suit whilst behind the shaking bush.
Were these things all improvisational?
No. All of the episodes were scripted. However, they did allow the actors to improvise if the actors requested to do so. The episodes with Richard Dreyfuss (Billy The Kid) and Donald Sutherland (Norman Bethune) were almost entirely improvized. The Barry Morse as Shakespeare episode was partially improvized, as well as, I believe, the Mavor Moore as Socrates episode. These are ones to immediately come to mind. I'm not certain of the degree of improvization of the other episodes. Although, Watson, in his autobiography, writes favourably of the Dreyfuss, Sutherland, Morse and Moore performances, comments that he felt the episodes that strictly adhered to the scripts worked out better.
@@jackwhite4136any idea where the other episodes can be seen?
Sandy Dennis was such a genius. I believe that all of her work (even scripted) was highly improvised because
she had the ability to "make it uniquely hers", because she thought so quickly in a way to make what she presented most
Interesting and riveting to watch.
Master
LW - please put a date that the thing happened on. Looks like 60s or 70s.
Late 70's or early 80's.
This Joan of Arc episode was the first and pilot episode of the series and aired on January 8, 1974. The first season of twenty episodes aired on Global TV in Canada, from January to May 1974. Another fifteen episodes aired on TVO from 1974 to 1976. TVO repeated all 35 episodes for years afterwards.
Circa 1980/81 Watson wanted to revive the series, but ran into a dispute with the producer of the original series. A series of twelve (or thirteen) episodes of a copy-cat show called 'Titans' with Watson again hosting, aired on CITY-TV from July to September 1981. 'Titans' paled in comparison to the original 'Witness To Yesterday'.
In 1998 the History Channel (Canada) aired twelve episodes of a revived 'Witness To Yesterday' with Patrick Watson again hosting (and co-directing, co-producing, co-writing). For the life of me, I cannot remember a single second of this reincarnation.
@@jackwhite4136 Yes, I also remember "Titans" -- with Aaron Copeland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" as its musical theme -- but it was overproduced. Much better the face-à-face style of WTY with its minimalist staging. WTY is an example of the potential of television to engage and educate. Cheers.
next episode: Pol Pot
Why is he giving Sandy such a hard time?
In his autobiography, Watson writes that he considered these episodes more as two person dramas than realistic (historical) interviews. I'm guessing he as the interviewer is taking the place of an interrogator much like Joan actually encountered before her execution, and as a modern day, anti-religious, secular 'doubter'.
She was "acting", get it.
What is this
Part of a television series where actors portray famous people.
@@lionwag 😊 thanks
I bet she don't like anything roasted.
Greta Thunberg must have seen this.
Is that little acoustic tool still alive?
I loved this show. He also interviewed Dr. Norman Bethune (Donald Sutherland). Another riveting interview. I'd love to see that again .
Yup. Robert Vaughn (The Man from U*N*C*L*E, The Magnificent Seven, Bullitt) did a star-turn as Thomas Paine as well. Cheers.