Edwin Boyd is the title of a new film by Nathan Morlando. It’s also the name of a notorious Canadian bank robber. The film tells the story, set in post-war Toronto. We attended the gala premier of this movie at TIFF this evening at the Lightbox.
It’s a compelling true tale of a WWII veteran experiencing hard times back home after the war. Desperate to make a better life for his family, he robbed a bank and then another and then another. Boyd became a famous name in Toronto, even more so when he escaped from prison twice.
I enjoyed the film, particularly the first half. Both Tuffy and I felt the story dragged toward the end in it’s effort to tell the complete story. There were side stories going on of Boyd’s retired policeman father and the policeman who was pursuing the Boyd gang but these were not explored thoroughly. The use of music was interesting. It seemed as if sometimes the music came from the future, from a time later than the film was set. It was used as a device to highlight the wild times, with mixed success.
We all make choices about how to live our lives all the time. Boyd felt alive robbing banks. He treated it like a show, wore make-up and hammed it up while robbing banks. Once he started his life of crime, it seemed there was no turning back, no working for the man. And yet Boyd did continue on, living as a model citizen in another place under another identity. after his prison time was served.
If this film makes it to general distribution, it’s worth seeing, even if it does go on too long.
27th Street 
I am eager to see this film. I am the great-grandaughter of George B Kindness. He sold the gun to Val Lesso (Steve Suchan) and it was this gun that killed Det. Tong. I knew nothing of Edwin Boyd until I came across the contract from my Great-grandpa and Val Lesso. My granddfather passed away in late 2009 and it was among his personal effects.
I know that TIFF is over, but any info as to where I can see the movie would be very appreciated!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the TIFF presentation of Edwin Boyd. Being a teenager in Toronto at the time, I remember the excitement and sense of daring displayed in our daily newspapaers. Writer-director Nathan Morlando’s empathy for the real characters in this tragic story gives us a true sense of sad consequences when the wrong road is taken.
I always look forward to the offering at the various film festivals each fall. Are you planning to see many more this TIFF?
Not this time around. It was fun to get out to a gala though. Our downtown is party central right now with the festival on.
I love a good bank robbing story! Apparently bank robbing is quite seductive once one takes it up. I have read several accounts of people taking it up after getting out. Remember the fellow who wrote Jackrabbit Parole, Reid? I’ll loo for this one hopefully it will show up on Netflix or something.