It doesn't get much simpler than this Canadian short, but even though it only lasts a few minutes, this is a memorably fun film. The animation is nothing great, but it fits the short well, and it works perfectly with the unbelievably infectious song that plays throughout. This is probably a tough film to find outside of Canada, but if you ever get the chance to see it, please don't pass on the opportunity.
14 Reviews
what a great song
kennymacdonald28 December 2002
a very short flim about a girl and her boyfriend the log driver.after you see and hear this nfb treasure you will be humming the song for a bit yet that is allright. so if you can find this little flim anywhere do yourself a favour and watch it.you will glad you did.
Cute, short and memorable. Worth a look,
llltdesq24 December 2002
This is the type of short that would likely not be done without something like the National Film Board of Canada doing the funding, as it really isn't that financially viable. An independent studio would probably be happy to tackle something like it (and some have) if funds aren't a problem. The short is, to all intents and purposes, a music video for the folk song Log Driver's Waltz. It begins with a quite brief live action shot of a log driver at work and changes into animation for the remainder of its length. The music is great, the animation is cute and the whole package is quite charming. This shows periodically on O Canada, when that show is on the Cartoon Network's schedule. Well worth watching. Recommended.
A Lot Of Entertainment Packed Into A Few Minutes
ccthemovieman-112 July 2007
This short animated film (three minutes) was very cute and a lot of fun to watch.
It's colorful animation set to one song: "The Log Driver's Waltz," sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle and the Mountain City Four. It's what he used to call a "folk song." It's a catchy song and amusing to hear.
The beginning had me puzzled as to whether this was what it was advertised, namely an animated movie, because we actual footage of Canadian loggers doing their thing down some river. Those guys are pretty nimble, by the way. All of a sudden, the picture turns to animation and we see one logger going down the "white water," and a ton of things happening en route, including a marriage. There is so much to see in just two minutes there is no sense describing it all except to say it's very entertaining with bright, bold colors and humorous animation.
The latter was provided by John Weldon, who directed and drew it. I can see why Leonard Maltin picked this simple little tale as part of his DVD called "Leonard Maltin's Animation Favorites From The National Film Board Of Canada.
It's colorful animation set to one song: "The Log Driver's Waltz," sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle and the Mountain City Four. It's what he used to call a "folk song." It's a catchy song and amusing to hear.
The beginning had me puzzled as to whether this was what it was advertised, namely an animated movie, because we actual footage of Canadian loggers doing their thing down some river. Those guys are pretty nimble, by the way. All of a sudden, the picture turns to animation and we see one logger going down the "white water," and a ton of things happening en route, including a marriage. There is so much to see in just two minutes there is no sense describing it all except to say it's very entertaining with bright, bold colors and humorous animation.
The latter was provided by John Weldon, who directed and drew it. I can see why Leonard Maltin picked this simple little tale as part of his DVD called "Leonard Maltin's Animation Favorites From The National Film Board Of Canada.
Excellent short film
LeRoyMarko17 December 2002
Another little gem from the National Film Board of Canada. Too bad those short films are not better known. This one starts out as a real film, showing log drivers, doing there perilous job on the river. It suddenly turns into a cartoon. And a pretty good one too. Log driving is almost an art, and women love the log driver because he knows how to dance!
The song by Wade Hemsworth is entertaining, fun, lively. Great addition to the Canadian folklore. And it's well interpreted by Kate and Anna McGarrigle and the Mountain City Four. If you can, see this one.
Out of 100, I give it 85. That's good for ***½ out of ****.
Seen at home, in Toronto, on December 15th, 2002.
The song by Wade Hemsworth is entertaining, fun, lively. Great addition to the Canadian folklore. And it's well interpreted by Kate and Anna McGarrigle and the Mountain City Four. If you can, see this one.
Out of 100, I give it 85. That's good for ***½ out of ****.
Seen at home, in Toronto, on December 15th, 2002.
pure Canadiana
SnoopyStyle9 April 2017
This three minute short packs a lot of Canadiana into a small package. The song is darn catchy. It is lots of fun and delivers on the intention of the NFB. It's about a girl who pines for her log driver and his dancing abilities. Not only are there log drivers, but there is a moose and a beaver. This and "The Hockey Sweater" are examples of great Canadian animated shorts that form the foundations of a country.
For the artsy crowd and Canadians only
planktonrules17 July 2008
I know my summary sounds very harsh, but this film has very limited appeal. The average Joe out there would have a hard time sticking with this film. The entire film consists of animated loggers doing their jobs and dancing on floating logs. This is all done with very splashy and artsy colors and the film might be great to show to patrons in an art museum. However, unless you really love this sort of art or are a Canadian who loves films about your native land, then this is probably going to be next to impossible to finish. I have a rather high tolerance for this sort of thing and even I had to force myself to watch after a couple minutes. I can respect the work that went into it, but it's just not compelling.
Nice cartoon!
Hailey-77 January 2007
This film from The National Film Board of Canadian is very nice cartoon, simply animated, and incorporated with footage of REAL log drivers. It what you would expect from a cartoon in the simplest of kinds, not too long, not too annoying, just nice and happy to watch. Very simple and nice. It's only under two minutes, which is just fine. So you watch it over and over again if you'd like, because it is such a nice little cartoon. I like the sketchy/cartoon/unrealistic look of it, which really illustrates the old-time spirit of the song and it lyrics, a kind of spirit not really captured in most modern animation these days. It rank right up there with other NFB films like "The Cat Came Back" and "Neighbors" and is a little slice of Canadian life as well!
The Most Canadian Cartoon Ever
boblipton10 April 2017
The National Film Board of Canada has long (since 1939) been an organization that has supported Canadian Film Makers .... even if they had to import Scotsmen like John Grierson and Norman McLaren to run it and make films. They have supported a lot of experimental work in order to find a voice for Canada -- one that spoke French as well as English.
However, with this short cartoon, based on the song of the same name, they finally came up with something uniquely and proudly Canadian. Images of real log drivers give way to cartoon loggers leaping and dancing over logs and waltzing with entranced young girls, past moose and beavers and well-regarded (by parents, anyway) professionals.
Today they'd have to be drinking Tim Horton coffee, eh?
However, with this short cartoon, based on the song of the same name, they finally came up with something uniquely and proudly Canadian. Images of real log drivers give way to cartoon loggers leaping and dancing over logs and waltzing with entranced young girls, past moose and beavers and well-regarded (by parents, anyway) professionals.
Today they'd have to be drinking Tim Horton coffee, eh?
As Canadian as Canada can be. Catchy, too!
TheOneManBoxOffice8 July 2017
Ah, Canada, the neighboring country to the north of the United States, known for its obsession of hockey, is the birthplace of the band Rush, has many a public service announcement that jumps straight to the point with no f***s given, and yes, being one of the key sources of income for the logging industry. There are a few shorts and feature films from Canada's National Film Board that pretty much sum up the entire country in general. What we have here is one of those shorts, and to this day, out of all of the films in the NFB's library, this is the one that's the most requested and beloved amongst the Canadian people.
"Log Driver's Waltz", directed and animated by independent filmmaker John Weldon, is a three-minute animated piece made as part of the Canada Vignettes series hosted by the NFB, and is based on the national folk song of the same name written by Wade Hemsworth. Sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, as well as the Mountain City Four, it tells the story of a young woman's admiration for her boyfriend, a log driver. If you don't know what one is, it's someone who moves cut logs to sawmills by driving them down a river. During the short, we see the blonde-haired log driver himself who probably does his job a little too well, from hopping from one log to another, dancing/bouncing on it, playing the accordion while on it, and riding it down a hectic white water river that would, in reality, kill an average person. So, based on what we see in the film, the titular log driver is the most bad-ass Canadian who ever lived.
Let me start off by saying that the song itself is ungodly catchy. Like, after you've heard it, it will not leave your head for sometime. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to you, but as someone who enjoys folk songs, I don't mind. Regardless, the main thing I love about this short is the flowing (no pun intended) and bouncy animation that never stops and fits with the song altogether, which, as a cartoonist myself, I have to admire. It's all hand-drawn, makes good use of rotoscoping, especially at the beginning where it transitions from live-action footage to animation, and is as pretty to look at as the Canadian wilderness itself.
This was a short I first saw on Turner Classic Movies as part of an animation festival back in early April, and I have to say, I'm glad this was included in one of the four blocks shown. I can see why it's the most requested film from the NFB and why many hold it in such high regard. It's a nice little film that can pretty much cheer up anyone who is feeling down, and is a great representation of Canada and its historical culture. As for getting the song out of your head when the film's finished, I got three words for ya: good luck. Even as of now, that song hasn't left my head, and actually, I don't mind it.
The film can be viewed for free on the National Film Board of Canada's website (www.nfb.ca) or on their YouTube channel.
"Log Driver's Waltz", directed and animated by independent filmmaker John Weldon, is a three-minute animated piece made as part of the Canada Vignettes series hosted by the NFB, and is based on the national folk song of the same name written by Wade Hemsworth. Sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, as well as the Mountain City Four, it tells the story of a young woman's admiration for her boyfriend, a log driver. If you don't know what one is, it's someone who moves cut logs to sawmills by driving them down a river. During the short, we see the blonde-haired log driver himself who probably does his job a little too well, from hopping from one log to another, dancing/bouncing on it, playing the accordion while on it, and riding it down a hectic white water river that would, in reality, kill an average person. So, based on what we see in the film, the titular log driver is the most bad-ass Canadian who ever lived.
Let me start off by saying that the song itself is ungodly catchy. Like, after you've heard it, it will not leave your head for sometime. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is up to you, but as someone who enjoys folk songs, I don't mind. Regardless, the main thing I love about this short is the flowing (no pun intended) and bouncy animation that never stops and fits with the song altogether, which, as a cartoonist myself, I have to admire. It's all hand-drawn, makes good use of rotoscoping, especially at the beginning where it transitions from live-action footage to animation, and is as pretty to look at as the Canadian wilderness itself.
This was a short I first saw on Turner Classic Movies as part of an animation festival back in early April, and I have to say, I'm glad this was included in one of the four blocks shown. I can see why it's the most requested film from the NFB and why many hold it in such high regard. It's a nice little film that can pretty much cheer up anyone who is feeling down, and is a great representation of Canada and its historical culture. As for getting the song out of your head when the film's finished, I got three words for ya: good luck. Even as of now, that song hasn't left my head, and actually, I don't mind it.
The film can be viewed for free on the National Film Board of Canada's website (www.nfb.ca) or on their YouTube channel.
A Log Driver's Waltz Pleases Girls Completely.
blackarachnia25 March 2007
I used to love watching this national treasure. It made me giggle a lot every time I saw it. I'm kind of sad that all of the major TV networks in Canada which includes YTV, TeleToon, and even APTN don't bother airing classic Canadain short films like this.
If you should ask any girl from the parish around what pleases her most from her head to her toes?
She'll say: "I'm not sure that it's business of yours but I do like to waltz with the log driver."
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
When the drive's nearly over I like to go down and watch all the lads while they work on the river I know that come evening they'll be in the town and we all like to waltz with the log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
To please both my parents I've had to give way and dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers Their manners are fine but their feet are of clay but there's none with the style of my log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
Now I've had my chances with all sorts of men but none is so fine as my lad on the river so when the drive's over if he asked me again I think I will marry my log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
If you should ask any girl from the parish around what pleases her most from her head to her toes?
She'll say: "I'm not sure that it's business of yours but I do like to waltz with the log driver."
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
When the drive's nearly over I like to go down and watch all the lads while they work on the river I know that come evening they'll be in the town and we all like to waltz with the log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
To please both my parents I've had to give way and dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers Their manners are fine but their feet are of clay but there's none with the style of my log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
Now I've had my chances with all sorts of men but none is so fine as my lad on the river so when the drive's over if he asked me again I think I will marry my log driver
For he goes birling down and down the white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly. He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
He goes birling down and down the white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
Nice animation
Rectangular_businessman11 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"Canada Vignettes: Log Driver's Waltz" is a Very nice and enjoyable animation which in a very short time is able to tell perfectly well a charming story.
The animation is cute and well done, with a lovely use of colors and simple, but pleasant designs. All the movements of each character are pretty fluid, and the song used for this animation adds a whimsical effect to this.
Despite being very short, this is something highly enjoyable and cute. And the song was good used on it was pretty good, too.
If you are looking for something light-hearted and relaxing, this little animation would be the perfect choice.
The animation is cute and well done, with a lovely use of colors and simple, but pleasant designs. All the movements of each character are pretty fluid, and the song used for this animation adds a whimsical effect to this.
Despite being very short, this is something highly enjoyable and cute. And the song was good used on it was pretty good, too.
If you are looking for something light-hearted and relaxing, this little animation would be the perfect choice.
Iconic film
dolive-578-56498717 January 2024
One of the best known NFB films, the movie mirthfully depicts a woman's decision to turn down chances to dance with doctors, lawyers and tycoons, and instead chooses to dance with a log driver. In this celebration of the men who for generations drove logs from northern forests to sawmills and pulp mills in the South - one of Canada's most important industries - the woman wants to dance with one of the men who scampers over the logs as they hurtle downstream, keeping them from jamming against the shoreline, because he can dance better than any man. This animation short is directed by John Weldon, one of the NFB's most prolific and skilled animators.
Watch the video ...
rsantosj12 April 2009
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/4309/
For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely For he goes birling down a down a white water that's where the log driver learns to step lightly For he goes birling down a down a white water A log driver's waltz pleases girls completely
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