New TV Movie to Spotlight Life of Sir Sam Steele

CALGARY: Knight Enterprises, along with CBC Television English Services and the government of Alberta’s Ministry of Culture and Community Spirit, is developing a TV movie based on the life of Canadian mountie Sir Samuel Benfield Steele. 

The project includes a full multiplatform content component for web and mobile. Steele, a member of the North-West Mounted Police, is a distinguished military veteran who rode out against the Red River Rebellion and fought in the Boer War. He negotiated with the First Nations chief Sitting Bull, fought against Big Bear and solved a famous murder, before leading a force to the Klondike Gold Rush. He also led a private cavalry unit in the Boer War in South Africa and lived to serve in World War I. 

"Sam Steele is an iconic figure in our history whose real life adventures rival that of an Indiana Jones,” said Chris Knight, the president of Knight Enterprises. “Knight Enterprises is proud to be bringing this great Canadian’s story to the screen, thanks to the key support of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit and the CBC."

In 2008, the Alberta government took part in a ceremony in Trafalgar Square in London, England, which saw the acquisition and repatriation of the Sir Samuel Benfield Steele Collection. The collection is now housed at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary and the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

“The letters, artifacts and papers from the Sir Sam Steele Collection document a significant time of change and development in western Canadian history,” said Lindsay Blackett, the minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “With this television production, we as Albertans and Canadians have the opportunity to tell the stories of our past and celebrate our heritage.”

“From the Red River Expedition to the Boer War, Sir Sam Steele has been at the forefront of several monumental events around the world,” commented Kirstine Stewart, the general manager of CBC Television English Services. “As Canada’s national public broadcaster, we are pleased to be involved in the development of this project and others like it that help to tell the stories of the people and events that have shaped our country today.”