Multimedia Collection
Prelude to War
(Why We Fight series)
VHS
52 minutes
D743.23 .W491 1984 no.1
One of the classic pieces of U.S. World War II propaganda, and winner of an Academy Award as Best Documentary, this was the first of seven films made for the Army by Hollywood director Frank Capra, in an effort to show enlisted men "Why We Fight." A masterfully organized and edited combination of newsreels, captured enemy films, historical recreations, maps, charts, and flamboyant optical effects, the film punches out its message with overwhelming power. Capra, who had so vividly portrayed American values in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and other films, was ideally suited to show the endangerment of those values by the growth of a "slave world," dedicated to destroying free speech, press, religion and just about everything else. The film concentrates on the growth of Italian Fascism, German Nazism, and Japanese Imperialism, from the twenties to the late thirties. Is it vituperative? Consider the characterization of the Japanese as Hitler's "buck-toothed pals." Or the sequence in which a picture of the enemy leaders is accompanied by the following narration: "Take a good look at this trio. Remember these faces - remember them well. If you ever meet them, don't hesitate!" (Did the War Department really expect the average soldier to encounter Hitler or Hirohito face to face?) This exciting and controversial film will grab you by its sheer audacity and energy, and will transport you back to the days when our armed forces, and movie audiences, were inspired by the final message, "That's what's at stake - it's us or them! The chips are down. Two worlds stand against each other. One must die, one must live. 170 years of freedom decrees our answer!"
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