The well-known Why We Fight series, produced by the War Department under the general supervision of Lt. Col. Frank Capra, include:"Prelude to War""The Nazis Strike""Divide and Conquer""Battle of Britain""Battle of Russia""Battle of China" and"War Comes to Americ" and together represent one of the most comprehensive efforts to teach history through film. Designed for new recruits, these films were eventually shown to civilian warworkers and the general public. Capra's staff used the compilation method in these films. Footage was selected from the resources of the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the Army Pictorial Center, and the newsreel libraries in New York City. Films from Allied Governments and those captured from the Axis were also used in the productions. These films were arranged and rearranged to explain official U.S. policy on the causes of the war and toward the Allied and Axis powers."Prelude to Wa" reviews events leading to the war and contrasts American democracy with fascism."The Nazis Strik" and"Divide and Conque" detail German expansion toward the east and west."Battle of Britai" concentrates on the fight against the attacking Luftwaffe and the resilience and courage of British civilians."Battle of Russia" running almost two hours, quickly reviews centuries of Russian history, emphasizing the theme that the Russian people would ultimately defeat and drive out all foreign invaders. This film shows in grim detail the bitter conditions of fighting on the Eastern front."Battle of China" quickly withdrawn from circulation after its release, is the least historically accurate of the series. Its footage, obtained from many documentaries on China, shows the magnitude of the struggle between China and Japan and builds sympathy for the Chinese people."War Comes to Americ" is the summation of the work done by Colonel Capra's film staff; it is a fast-paced, rhythmical film on the values of American culture and U.S. composition, achievements, failures, and ideals. Although the Why We Fight films generally employ footage of historical events, they are more important for the study of ideas, attitudes, and interpretations than for the facts they present.
Army film showing US involvement in war from 1917 to 1938
Orientation Film no. 7, Reel 3. International events cause the US to enter into World War II. A crane moves a large object. Aerial views of highways and tall buildings. People pour out of subway stations and masses walk along the street. Men, women and children walk into a church and various shots of them attending service. The narrator talks of war and how Americans"bend over backwards to avoid it" Cars pass on the street and a beach is crowded with people. A presumably dead body lies in a field and a few others float up to a desolate shore. 05:02:48 A tile card reads"1917" Several cannons are fired, US troops run across a battleground in France, and planes fly overhead. Tanks, explosions, and foot soldiers. The narrator explains that"before most of you fighting men were born" the United States was victorious in World War I and the belief was that war would be avoided for the next generation. In New York City, Armistice Day is celebrated by cheering crowds who throw confetti, dance, march in parades, and wave flags. Large naval ships are blown up and a map shows the US Army shrinking from 3,700,000 in 1918 to 134,000 in 1925. A few shots of Europe are followed by views of various Asian landmarks. 05:03:43"In 1931, while most of you were playing ball in the sandlots" the narrator states,"Japan invaded Manchuria" Smoke covers the sky as Japanese troops run carrying their flag. A soldier looks at the scene through binoculars, men march through city streets, and captives are tied to poles. Conquerers wave a flag over the city. The Capitol Building and a newspaper headline announces that Secretary of State Henry Stimson"denounces Japanese Aggression" His face is superimposed on the image as he gives a speech saying that the US will not acknowledge any territory taken by force. A man stands at a podium surrounded by people and a newspaper reading"Bonus March On Capita" fades into a shot of men marching in D.C. Chains block an employee entrance, men in breadlines receive food, and a drive-by shooting takes place at night. The Dust Bowl is shown through shots of a bleak house and a landscape where the only sign of life is a farm animal in the distance. Cars drive down a dirt road and a man plays with his child outside a tent. 05:04:49"In 1933, while most of you were graduating from high school, we read that a funny little man called Hitler, had come to power in Germany" A graduation class sits onstage as the audience looks on. A man reaches into a bin and pulls out a paper announcing Hitler's election as chancellor. Nazis parade, waving flags and carrying posters of Hitler, as he stands watching with other officials. A sign reads"Heil Hitle" and fireworks go off. In Berlin, a large military display takes place and line after line of soldiers stand at attention. Men play instruments, Hitler salutes, and a quote reads,"Today we rule Germany, tomorrow the world" Several shots of Nazis marching and Hitler looks on. 05:05:43 People dance around a large room and 1935 is introduced. The narrator says that,"About the time you had your first date" Mussolini attacked Ethiopia. A man sits in a lawn chair and reads the announcement in a newspaper. Planes fly in formation and bombs drop onto land below. A soldier bangs a drum, large crowds of men walk through streets, and Haile Selassie visits the front lines. More soldiers march and guns fire causing people to run. Congress assembles as Sen. Hiram Johnson gives a speech saying that they want no war. The Neutrality Act of 1935 is explained and text states,"No arms for sale to nations at war" 05:06:35 News of civil war in Spain reaches the US in 1936,"While you were running around in jalopies" Kids stand around and wave to a friend who drives off in his car and an audience sits in a small theater watching a newsreel. People run through Spanish streets with guns and a man throws a grenade into a window. German planes drop bombs on cities below as civilians flee in fear. Rubble litters the streets, men pick up a fallen child, and various shots of grieving victims are shown. A man gets of a train and shakes hands with a smiling Hitler. 05:07:29 In November of 1936, the American Institute of Public Opinion takes a poll asking if America should participate in another World War. Men sit around a table and flip through papers and a wide range of people answer questions from surveyors. A graphic shows that 95% of the population answered no. Many different people are seen mouthing their disdain. The Cash and Carry Amendment is created and text reads,"Raw materials only, but come and get them" An illustration demonstrates how countries had to send their own ships to the US and pay in cash. 05:08:17 1937 is introduced as a newsroom is shown and someone types the flash,"Japanese launch all out China war" Planes fly over a naval ship waving Japan's flag. Guns fire, bombs drop, and people in the streets scatter. Dead bodies are strewn over streets and loaded into the back of a wagon. Another poll is taken in September 1937 which states that the American population is 43% sympathetic towards China, 2% towards Japan, and 55% undecided. A man sits in a chair and flips his paper from the headline"Bomb Canto" to the comic strips. Industrial machines demonstrate the continued sale of gasoline and scrap iron to Japan. 05:09:25 It's March 1938 and Hitler speaks to men surrounding him. Nazi soldiers march across a map indicating Germany's occupation of Austria. In September, a man distributes a newspaper declaring that"Powers Sign Munich Pact" Officials representing Britain and France stand with Hitler and sign a treaty stating that they will give him Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia on the condition that he promises peace. More soldiers march across the map and Hitler salutes troops.
Frank Capra was an Italian American film director, producer, and writer born in Italy and raised in Los Angeles from the age of five. Capra became one of America's most influential directors during the 1930s, winning three Academy Awards for Best Director from six nominations, along with three other Oscar wins from nine nominations in other categories. Among his leading films were"It Happened One Nigh" (1934),"You Can't Take It with Yo" (1938), and"Mr. Smith Goes to Washingto" (1939). Capra served in the US Army during World War I and became naturalized shortly thereafter. He reenlisted after Pearl Harbor and was offered a commission as a Major at the age of 44. Chief of Staff George Marshall bypassed the US Army Signal Corps and assigned Major Capra the job of producing seven propaganda films (the Why We Fight series) that would be seen less as propaganda pieces and more as the inspiring films that Capra had made. After World War II, Capra's career declined as his later films, such as"It's a Wonderful Lif" (1946), performed poorly when they were first released. Outside of directing, Capra was active in the film industry, engaging in various political and social issues. He served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, worked alongside the Writers Guild of America, and was head of the Directors Guild of America.
Distributed by the War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry.