Overview of Germany, the German character, and lust for conquest
Creator(s)
- United States. National Archives and Records Administration. Motion Picture Reference
- Anatole Litvak (Director)
- United States. Army. Signal Corps. (Producer)
- Frank R. Capra (Director)
Biographical 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 Night" (1934), "You Can't Take It with You" (1938), and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (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 Life" (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.
Scope and Content
US propaganda film about "The German personality" and its national psyche and history. Reel 1 shows panoramic views of the German countryside, its people, music, schools, offices, and factories ('a modern, educated, musical, industrious nation'); dead and living victims of Nazi concentration camps; crematoria, gas chambers, victims' clothing, and articles made of human skin; and victims of Nazi atrocities in Rome, Lublin, Belgium, and Malmedy. Describes the lack of democracy in medieval Germanic states through World Wars I and II focusing on an ideal German soldier named Karl Schmidt. Shows German "lust for conquest" with troops marching during World Wars I and II in contrast to US freedoms, equal rights, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Subjects
- WORLD WAR I
- PROPAGANDA
- CROWDS
- SOLDIERS/MILITARY (GERMAN)
- WILHELM II (GERMANY)
- ATROCITIES
- MARCHING
- HUMAN REMAINS
- FACTORIES
- GERMANY
- CONCENTRATION CAMPS
- UNITED STATES
- HUMAN SKIN
- MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
- VICTIMS' PROPERTY
Places
- Rome, Italy
- , Germany
- Lublin, Poland
- , Belgium
Genre
- Propaganda.
- Film