us-005578-irn1000875
identifier: irn1000875
notes: 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 This film shows in grim detail the bitter conditions of fighting on the Eastern front."Battle of China" quickly withdrawn from circulation after its release, is the least historically accurate of the series.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. compositio…
type: RecordSet
title: Army film showing US involvement in war from 1917 to 1938
has or had subject: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/vocabularies/ehri-terms/986
scope and content: 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 …
history: 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.
has beginning date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1917-01-01
has or had holder: us-005578
has end date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1938-12-31
has record set type: Item
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn1000875/alternateIDs/1
notes: Distributed by the War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry.
has or had identifier: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/units/us-005578-irn1000875/alternateIDs/2
has or had some members with language: eng
has end date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1942-12-31
has beginning date: http://lod.ehri-project-test.eu/dates/1942-01-01