Photographed by Bernard Natan's team of cameramen at Rapid-Film, this is a fascinating documentary, in part because it evokes the spirit and society of the time so vividly. The ice hockey matches are played in the open-air, with Canada facing the United States in the final. The occasion is marked by an engaging informality, with individual winners borne aloft by enthusiastic supporters, and exhibitions of “military patrol” skiing across country. Other sports featured include curling, figure skating, and speed skating (check in film!). Competitors cope cheerfully with the dangers of winter sports: a number of ski-jumpers take a tumble on landing, and one member of the Swiss four-man bobsleigh team breaking both legs in a crash. Jean de Rovera