Douglas Rain

Acting

Douglas Rain

Born March 13, 1928 · Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Died November 11, 2018 · aged 90

Douglas Rain (March 13, 1928 - November 11, 2018) was a Canadian actor and narrator. He was primarily a stage actor, but his best known film role was as the voice of the HAL 9000 computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) and its sequel 2010 (1984). Rain was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He studied acting at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Banff, Alberta as well as in London at the Old Vic School. A…

Known For

2001: A Space Odyssey2001: A Space Odyssey · 1968
2001: A Space Odyssey
8.01968
MovieScience FictionMystery
Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.
20102010 · 1984
2010
6.71984
MovieThrillerScience Fiction
While planet Earth poises on the brink of nuclear self-destruction, a team of Russian and American scientists aboard the Leonov hurtles to a rendezvous with the still-orbiting Discovery spacecraft and its sole known survivor, the homicidal computer HAL.
SleeperSleeper · 1973
Sleeper
6.91973
MovieComedyScience Fiction
Miles Monroe, a clarinet-playing health food store proprietor, is revived out of cryostasis 200 years into a future world in order to help rebels fight an oppressive government regime.
Love & LarcenyLove & Larceny · 1985
Love & Larceny
7.01985
Movie
Besty Bigley, a notorious con-woman of the 1890s, alias Mrs. Chadwick, alias Pelvina de Vere, and a string of other false names, worked her way up the criminal ranks, all the way to Wall Street, where she chiseled fortunes out of millionaires. Based on a true story.
Oedipus RexOedipus Rex · 1957
Oedipus Rex
6.01957
MovieDrama
The story of Oedipus' gradual discovery of his primal crime, killing his father and marrying his mother, filmed by the famed British theatrical director Sir Tyrone Guthrie. This elegant version of Sophocles' play adds a brilliant stroke: the actors wear masks just as the Greeks did in the playwright's day.
UniverseUniverse · 1960
Universe
7.51960
MovieDocumentary
A triumph of film art, creating on the screen a vast, awe-inspiring picture of the universe as it would appear to a voyager through space, this film was among the sources of inspiration used by Stanley Kubrick for his 2001: A Space Odyssey. Realistic animation takes you into far regions of space, beyond the reach of the strongest telescope, past Moon, Sun, and Milky Way, into galaxies yet unfathomed.
The Stratford AdventureThe Stratford Adventure · 1954
The Stratford Adventure
6.21954
MovieDocumentary
This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality.
A Cry of AngelsA Cry of Angels · 1963
A Cry of Angels
1963
Movie
Hallmark presents the story of how the greatest oratorio, George Frederic Handel's "The Messiah," came to be written in the English language.

Movies

2001: A Space Odyssey2001: A Space Odyssey · 1968
2001: A Space Odyssey
8.01968
MovieScience FictionMystery
Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world's most advanced super computer.
20102010 · 1984
2010
6.71984
MovieThrillerScience Fiction
While planet Earth poises on the brink of nuclear self-destruction, a team of Russian and American scientists aboard the Leonov hurtles to a rendezvous with the still-orbiting Discovery spacecraft and its sole known survivor, the homicidal computer HAL.
SleeperSleeper · 1973
Sleeper
6.91973
MovieComedyScience Fiction
Miles Monroe, a clarinet-playing health food store proprietor, is revived out of cryostasis 200 years into a future world in order to help rebels fight an oppressive government regime.
Love & LarcenyLove & Larceny · 1985
Love & Larceny
7.01985
Movie
Besty Bigley, a notorious con-woman of the 1890s, alias Mrs. Chadwick, alias Pelvina de Vere, and a string of other false names, worked her way up the criminal ranks, all the way to Wall Street, where she chiseled fortunes out of millionaires. Based on a true story.
Oedipus RexOedipus Rex · 1957
Oedipus Rex
6.01957
MovieDrama
The story of Oedipus' gradual discovery of his primal crime, killing his father and marrying his mother, filmed by the famed British theatrical director Sir Tyrone Guthrie. This elegant version of Sophocles' play adds a brilliant stroke: the actors wear masks just as the Greeks did in the playwright's day.
UniverseUniverse · 1960
Universe
7.51960
MovieDocumentary
A triumph of film art, creating on the screen a vast, awe-inspiring picture of the universe as it would appear to a voyager through space, this film was among the sources of inspiration used by Stanley Kubrick for his 2001: A Space Odyssey. Realistic animation takes you into far regions of space, beyond the reach of the strongest telescope, past Moon, Sun, and Milky Way, into galaxies yet unfathomed.
The Stratford AdventureThe Stratford Adventure · 1954
The Stratford Adventure
6.21954
MovieDocumentary
This short film depicts how a small Canadian city, bearing the name of Stratford and by a river Avon, created its own renowned Shakespearean theatre. The film tells how the idea grew, how a famous British director, international stars and Canadian talent were recruited, and how the Stratford Shakespearean Festival finally became a triumphant reality.
A Cry of AngelsA Cry of Angels · 1963
A Cry of Angels
1963
Movie
Hallmark presents the story of how the greatest oratorio, George Frederic Handel's "The Messiah," came to be written in the English language.
The Russian German WarThe Russian German War · 1995
The Russian German War
5.51995
MovieDocumentary
This is a rare look at one of the worst horror stories in the long infamous history of warfare. This series features captured German and Russian film footage, much of which has never been seen before. For decades the Cold War prevented us from looking closely at what really happened between the Russians and the Germans on the Eastern Front during World War II. More than a struggle between nations, it pitted maniacal tyrant against maniacal tyrant, evil ideology against evil ideology. The lives of tens of millions of human beings were consumed by its raging hatreds and appalling indignities. One in every ten Russians died. One in every four Poles died. Whole divisions of Italians, Romanians, Hungarians disappeared with barely a trace. An average of 17,800 people died on every single day and this, the war on the Russian German Front, lasted for 1,400 days. This series features captured German and Russian film footage, much of which has never been seen before.
The Man Who Skied Down EverestThe Man Who Skied Down Everest · 1975
The Man Who Skied Down Everest
6.81975
MovieDocumentaryAdventure
This Oscar-winning documentary tells the story behind Japanese daredevil Yuichiro Miura's 1970 effort to ski down the world's tallest mountain.
Fields of SacrificeFields of Sacrifice · 1963
Fields of Sacrifice
7.01963
MovieWarDocumentary
This 1964 documentary returns to the battlefields where over 100,000 Canadian soldiers lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The film also visits cemeteries where servicemen are buried. Filmed from Hong Kong to Sicily, this documentary is designed to show Canadians places they have reason to know but may not be able to visit. Produced for the Canadian Department of Veteran Affairs by the renowned documentary filmmaker Donald Brittain. (NFB)
Henry VHenry V · 1967
Henry V
9.01967
MovieDrama
Henry, tracing his descent from Edward III, has claimed the French crown. Assured by the Archbishop of Canterbury that right is on his side, and needled by the Dauphin’s insolence, he prepares for war.
Donald Brittain: FilmmakerDonald Brittain: Filmmaker · 1992
Donald Brittain: Filmmaker
7.01992
MovieDocumentary
A retrospective of documentary films by Donald Brittain offering a glimpse of the man and the restless energy that informed his work. Dedicated and hard-working Brittain left nothing to chance, driving himself and his colleagues at the NFB and the CBC until perfection was achieved, or until airtime -- whichever came first.

TV Shows

BBC Play of the MonthBBC Play of the Month · 1965
BBC Play of the Month
5.31965
SeriesDrama
A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.
FolioFolio · 1955
Folio
10.01955
Series
Folio, a precursor to CBC's renowned fine-arts series Festival, aired for four years starting in 1956. The series showcased original dramas, music compositions, and ballets, many originating from diverse regions across Canada. Notable episodes featured Barry Morse in a new staging of MacBeth, along with performances by Canadian talents like Robert Goulet and Sharon Acker. One of the highlights included a musical adaptation of the beloved Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. Airing without sponsorship, Folio thrived until its conclusion in the fall of 1960. Producers: Robert Allen, Harvey Hart, David Greene, Mario Prizek and Ronald Weyman.
LIFE BEYONDLIFE BEYOND · 2019
LIFE BEYOND
2019
SeriesDocumentarySci-Fi & Fantasy
Life Beyond explores humanity's future, the evolution of technology, and the mysteries of the universe. From AI and space exploration to philosophical reflections on existence, each chapter combines stunning visuals with emotional music, creating an immersive experience.
No Price Too HighNo Price Too High · 1995
No Price Too High
10.01995
SeriesDocumentary
The Canadian contribution to World War Two was extraordinary in scale and variety. More than one million people, out of nation of just eleven million, volunteered to serve. To transform a small, virtually unequipped military into a powerful army, navy and air force was a remarkable achievement. No Price Too High traces Canada's involvement from the prewar years through 1945, explaining the events of the war in the context of the political and military realities of the time. There is none of the second guessing that has characterized so much recent analysis of the war. No Price Too High draws on original sources - personal letters and diary entries, and powerful photographs - to evoke the mood of those momentous years. The thoughts, hopes, dreams, fears, and heartbreaks of the generation of Canadians who faced the war are captured. Produced by Norflicks, No Price Too High chronicles Canada's role in the major events of the war, including The Battle of Britain, Dieppe and D-Day.