Summaries

The official World War II US Government film statement defining the various enemies of the Allies and why they must be fought.

This famous propaganda piece, used as a U.S. Army training film in WWII before theatrical release, asks 'why we fight.' The answer compares the 'free' and 'slave' worlds. Included: development of dictatorships in Italy, Germany and Japan, while anti-militarism and isolationism rise in the USA; a look at enemy propaganda; and the first acts of aggression. Walter Huston narrates a combination of archival footage, maps, and other graphics.—Rod Crawford <[email protected]>

Directed by famed Hollywood director Frank Capra and Ukrainian director Anatole Litvak , a US documentary / propaganda film on the causes of World War 2. Shows Germany, Italy and Japan's build up to WW2, and how the tension escalated. Part of Capra's "Why We Fight" series.—grantss

In this first installment of the "Why We Fight" US propaganda film series, the series illustrates a definiton of two worlds. The first is the Free world of the Allies' nations that honours life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The second is the Slave world of the Axis nations that honours only tyranny, brutality and unquestioning obedience to the leader and threatens to envelope the entire planet if the Free world does not make a stand.—Kenneth Chisholm <[email protected]>

Details

Keywords
  • patriotism
  • totalitarianism
  • democracy
  • nazi germany
  • authoritarianism
Genres
  • War
  • Documentary
Release date May 26, 1942
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) Not Rated
Countries of origin United States
Language English German Russian Japanese Italian Amharic
Production companies U.S. War Department Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) U.S. Army Special Service Division

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 52m
Color Black and White
Sound mix Mono
Aspect ratio 1.37 : 1

Synopsis

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