The Big Snake of the World poster

The Big Snake of the World

Movie 1999 1h 39m 5.0 /10
Directed by Yves Dion

Tom Paradise travels the city behind the long hood of a city bus, still clinging to a reckless sense of youth even as he clocks another day. He fantasizes about the landscapes and wide skies of the American West, letting those dreams color every stop and turn. People around him urge him to settle... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About The Big Snake of the World

Tom Paradise travels the city behind the long hood of a city bus, still clinging to a reckless sense of youth even as he clocks another day. He fantasizes about the landscapes and wide skies of the American West, letting those dreams color every stop and turn. People around him urge him to settle down, to take a real job, to grow up, but he resists with a smile that defies the clock. He treats love as a pulse over which fate can ride, a ride he wants to keep moving. The film follows his impulsive routes toward the south, where desire and luck might redraw his map and rewrite his fate, if only for a moment.

Released in 1999, The Big Snake of the World is directed by Yves Dion with Monique Proulx credited as the creator. The film appears to stitch a personal vision to a transit city canvas, anchored by a modest yet resonant cast.

Box office data for this title is not widely documented, which often signals a limited release or a modest commercial footprint outside of major markets.

No major film awards are listed for The Big Snake of the World, and it does not appear in typical award databases. Its reception seems rooted in individual performances and its mood rather than prize recognition by critics worldwide alone.

At its heart the film looks at what happens when a man mistakes motion for meaning. Tom's urge to roam tests loyalties, patience, and the boundaries of love, turning everyday routes into a wandering map of possibility. The city becomes a stage for conversations that drift between chance encounters and intimate silences, and the performances ground the mood with dry humor and quiet intensity. While the critical reception may vary, the piece earns attention for its tone rather than spectacle, inviting viewers to consider freedom not as a destination but as a habit that shapes choices and relationships over time.

Details

Release Date
September 17, 1999
Runtime
1h 39m
User Ratings
2 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Drama
Country
Canada
Studio
ONF | NFB
External Links
View on IMDB

Cast

Murray Head

Murray Head

Tom

Z

Zoe Latraverse

Anaïs (as Zoé Latraverse)

Gabriel Arcand

Gabriel Arcand

Monsieur

Louise Portal

Louise Portal

Carmen

G

Gilles Cloutier

Luc-Martial Dagenais

Luc-Martial Dagenais

R

Ronald Houle

D

Denis Michaud

Michel Pellerin

Michel Pellerin

B

Bernard Ranger

Director: Yves Dion

Written by: Monique Proulx

Frequently Asked Questions

The Big Snake of the World is not currently available to stream, rent, or buy online in the US. Check back later for updates.

With a rating of 5.0/10 from 2 viewers, The Big Snake of the World is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

Tom Paradise travels the city behind the long hood of a city bus, still clinging to a reckless sense of youth even as he clocks another day. He fantasizes about the landscapes and wide skies of the American West, letting those dreams color every stop and turn. People around him urge him to settle...

The Big Snake of the World stars Murray Head, Zoe Latraverse, Gabriel Arcand, Louise Portal, and Gilles Cloutier.

The Big Snake of the World was directed by Yves Dion.

The Big Snake of the World was released on September 17, 1999.

The Big Snake of the World is a Drama film.

Murray Head plays Tom Paradise in the movie. Tom is the central character, a 40-something bus driver who longs for the freedom and landscapes of the American West.

Zoe Latraverse plays Anaïs, credited as Zoé Latraverse. Anaïs is one of Tom's connections in the film.

The film was directed by Yves Dion and created by Monique Proulx. This drama follows Tom's pursuit of freedom on a westward-leaning journey.

Tom dreams of heading south and exploring the landscapes of the American West, a vision shaped by Jack Kerouac's On the Road. This dream fuels his resistance to settling down.