The timid 1940s had tragic films with the hero and heroine thwarted in the path of love and dying singly or together while singing memorable songs.

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The Canadian gallery focuses on two of the most prominent figures from the war, Sir Isaac Brock and Laura Secord, the hero and heroine of Upper Canada, the colonial name for most of modern-day Ontario.

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The hero and the heroine, played by Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis, are likable, but in a Woo picture the character to watch is invariably the chain-smoking guy in shades.

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Generally, the heroine and the hero remain monogamous after they meet, regardless of whether it is in Chapter Three or Chapter Ten, however chequered their past, and no matter whether they hate each other at first sight.

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