The Hounds of Notre Dame
# The Hounds of Notre Dame

The Hounds of Notre Dame is a 1980 Canadian drama film directed by Zale Dalen.

## Plot

The Hounds of Notre Dame is about 36 hours in the life of Père Athol Murray, a hard-drinking, chain-smoking Catholic priest, teacher, political activist and coach of the school hockey team, The Hounds. Peacocke gives a powerful performance as Murray, who defies his superior and gives anti-CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) speeches in 1940s Saskatchewan. The film received outstanding reviews and Peacocke won a Genie Award for best actor, but it received only limited distribution and came to symbolize the problems inherent in producing quality Canadian features.

## Reception

* The film earned 9 Genie Award nominations in 1981 in the categories of:
   * Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role - Thomas Peacocke (won)
   * Best Achievement in Direction
   * Best Achievement in Editing
   * Best Achievement in Overall Sound
   * Best Achievement in Sound Editing
   * Best Motion Picture
   * Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
   * Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
   * Best Original Screenplay
