Thunderbirds in China: Friendship first

Thunderbirds in China (1974). By Les Rose. 57 min

The National Film Board of Canada produced this 1974 documentary that followed The Thunderbirds, the University of British Columbia hockey team, as they traveled to China in 1973 to showcase the sport to the Chinese and to play against local teams as well as the Chinese National team. Two of the games were televised throughout China and 18 000 people attended each game at the People's Sports Palace. This film gives us a glimpse what China was like in the 1970s as well as how the Chinese played hockey. While the Chinese teams were outscored 56-5, the UBC players and coaches were impressed by the Chinese players' courage and determination. Some felt though that the Chinese team's emphasis on friendship before winning was a weakness in a such competitive sport. A playing of two cultures and ways of life on an ice rink.

Check out the blue hockey mask that one of the Chinese players sported!