Prussian militarists and German combat

Identifier
irn1002822
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2001.358.1
  • RG-60.3016
Dates
1 Jan 1945 - 31 Dec 1945
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • English
Source
EHRI Partner

Creator(s)

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 2 contrasts the British and French tradition of representative government with the totalitarianism of Germany. Describes Prussia and Frederick the Great's wars with Austria. Shows portraits of Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, founders of the General Staff. Describes the dictums of Clausewitz, crushing of the 1848 revolt, German emigration to the US, and Bismarck's policies. Dramatizes combat during the Franco-Prussian War, forming the German empire, and the crowning of Wilhelm I.

Subjects

Places

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.