Calgary: When casting for Alberta Filmworks’ latest production Crazy Canucks, producer/director Randy Bradshaw had to find five leads who were not only great actors, but could also brave the bumps on a double black diamond.

The TV movie was inspired by the true story of the Men’s Canadian Alpine Ski Team, which made a name for itself and its country on the World Cup downhill circuit between 1974 and 1976.

The screenplay is adapted by Don Truckey and Graeme Manson from White Circuit, a book by Alpine team member Ken Read about his experiences representing Canada with teammates Dave Irwin, Dave Murray, Steve Podborski and Olympic bronze medallist ‘Jungle’ Jim Hunter.

Executive produced by Filmworks’ Doug MacLeod, the CTV MOW went to camera in Austria Feb. 23 and wrapped March 26, with plans to deliver to CTV July 19.

The $4.3-million pic stars Lucas Bryant (An American in Canada), Sandy Robson (Twice in a Lifetime), Curtis Harrison (Undressed), Kyle Labine (Da Vinci’s Inquest) and Robert Tinkler (Relic Hunter) as members of the alpine team. Gabriel Hogan (Traders) plays coach Scott Henderson and Joe Norman Shaw (The Investigation) the assistant coach.

Alliance Atlantis Communications has acquired world distribution rights to Crazy Canucks, which was funded through Telefilm Canada, the Telus Television Development Fund, CFRN, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Cogeco and the CanWest Western Independent Producers Fund.

-www.albertafilmworks.com