Plot

• Father Athol Murray (Peacocke) is a hard working man who inspires his students to become better people through education and athletics.

Reception

• The film earned 9 Genie Award
  Genie Award
  Genie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. From 1949-1979, the awards were named the Canadian Film Awards...
  
   nominations in 1981 in the categories of:
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
    Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
    The Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian actor.-1st Genie Awards:* Christopher Plummer, Murder by Decree...
    
     - Thomas Peacocke (won)
  • Best Achievement in Direction
    Genie Award for Best Achievement in Direction
    The Genie Award for Best Achievement in Direction is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian film director.-1st Genie Awards:*Bob Clark, Murder by Decree*Peter Carter, Klondike Fever...
    
    
  • Best Achievement in Editing
    Genie Award for Best Achievement in Editing
    The Genie Award for Best Achievement in Editing is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian film editor.-1st Genie Awards:* Stan Cole, Murder By Decree* Jean Beaudin, Cordelia* Ron Wisman, Fish Hawk...
    
    
  • Best Achievement in Overall Sound
    Genie Award for Best Achievement in Overall Sound
    The Genie Award for Best Achievement in Overall Sound is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian sound designer.-1st Genie Awards:* Karl Scherer, Austin Grimaldi, Dino Pigat, Joe Grimaldi, The Changeling...
    
    
  • Best Achievement in Sound Editing
    Genie Award for Best Achievement in Sound Editing
    The Genie Award for Best Achievement in Sound Editing is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian sound editor.-16th Genie Awards:...
    
    
  • Best Motion Picture
    Genie Award for Best Motion Picture
    The Genie Award for Best Motion Picture is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best Canadian motion picture.-1st Genie Awards:*The Changeling *Cordélia...
    
    
  • Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
    Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
    The Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best supporting Canadian actor.-1st Genie Awards:* Gordon Pinsent, Jack London's Klondike Fever...
    
    
  • Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
    Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
    The Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is awarded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television to the best supporting Canadian actress.-1st Genie Awards:* Geneviève Bujold, Murder by Decree...
    
    
  • Best Original Screenplay