Young Triffie

Set in Swyer’s Harbour, Newfoundland in 1948, the “Young Triffie” in the title is in fact the late Tryphenia Maude Pottle. At the time, Newfoundland is going through another of its periodic upheavals and union with Canada is just a year away. This comic tale is based on the play, Young Triffie’s Been Made Away With by Ray Guy who also worked on the screenplay. The story begins when Andrew Hepditch, a hapless and gormless young Newfoundland ranger, is sent out to the isolated outport of Swyer’s Harbour to investigate a common sheep-shagging/mutilation. He also finds himself face and eyes into a vicious murder and way over his head in the mysterious workings of outport village life. From the time the body of “that poor young silly person” washes ashore, replete with 13 stab wounds, until the moment when the local preacher`s hand is nailed to the table in the doctor’s front parlor, the laughter never lets up in this comic murder mystery. Young Triffie is Mary Walsh’s debut as a feature director. It was chosen to be the Opening Gala film at the 17th annual St. John`s Women`s International Film Festival in October of 2006.

Also see: Northernstars.ca reviews Young Triffie.