Braithwaite's semi-autobiographical 1965 book Why Shoot the Teacher? was made into a film in 1977. The story follows a young teacher, Max Brown, who moves to Saskatchewan during the Great Depression to find work. His adventures are both hilarious and heartbreaking. Bud Cort played the lead role of Max Brown in the film. Cort is perhaps best known for his role as Harold in Harold and Maude, though he has appeared in dozens of other movies, including Dogma, Coyote Ugly and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.
Why Shoot the Teacher? was a great success in Canada, and won the Golden Reel Award for achieving the highest box-office revenues of 1977, as well as a Canadian Film Award for best adapted screenplay.

 

Image sources: Aytch; Persuasion