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Ken Douglas: Traitor or Visionary?

Television (Full Length) – 2006

This 2006 documentary is a portrait of one of New Zealand politics' most contradictory figures: unionist Ken Douglas. At the time of filming Douglas occupied numerous board positions (eg Air New Zealand, the NZ Rugby Football Union), but early on he was a truckie and Marxist. Rob Muldoon branded him 'Red Ken'. For 15 years until 1999 he led the Council of Trade Unions. Directed by Monique Oomen for Top Shelf Productions, the film is framed around interviews with Douglas and his colleagues, and asks whether he is a turncoat or a strategic realist moving with the times.

Probably our [the Socialist Unity Party's] most successful recruiter ...
– Ken Douglas's description of Prime Minister Robert Muldoon

Key Cast & Crew

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Monique Oomen

Director

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Vincent Burke

Producer

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Grant Tilly

Narrator

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Jude Callen

Network Executive

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Grant Taylor

Sound Mix

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Luis G Portillo

Online Editor

See all 16 credits

Produced by

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Top Shelf Productions

Acknowledgements

Made with funding from NZ On Air

Music

Opening title music composed by Henry Cockburn

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