This film profiling Canadian poet Al Purdy illuminates an artist who is seemingly artless. An apparently casual assemblage of images and words catches the paradox of a poet distrustful of false sentiments. Purdy talks about his work, and fellow poets Margaret Atwood, Dennis Lee, and Irving Layton describe how he has found an authentic voice for Canadian experience. It is a film of interest to students and teachers of Canadian literature, and others wishing to understand why Al Purdy is considered our national poet.