Prelude to War (1942)

Prelude to War (1942) is a Historic War Documentary which is a famous propaganda pieced used to train the U.S. Army during World War 2. The main message of the film is why America is at war. The film begins with war footage while naming countries and asking which one is to blame for this war. The film convinces viewers of the importance of war by naming America 'the land of the free' and other countries 'slave countries'. The narrator highlights growing fascism, socialism, and militarism in other countries and states that America is the free world where individual rights are cherished. The narrator uses music and quotes that Americans will recognize such as "Give me liberty or give me death"-all to convince viewers that this fight is one for liberty. The narrator criticizes Japan by calling Japanese people a human heard because they refer to their leader as "God Emperor". They talk about fascism in both Italy, Germany, and Japan and discussed the symbols that were worn and what the narrator wants to think the citizens of these countries were hoping for and what they got in return. The narrator tells audiences that all media is controlled by the government and freedom of speech and association is going away. The footage is clear and concise. The editing is great. The message is clear. The film succeeds in convincing Americans of their importance World War 2 and making America look great. All in all, a good watch for any history nut.

¨Why we fight ? ¨ , results to be a series of seven information films Special Service Division Information Film , produced by the War department , SOS , with cooperation of research Council Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . This film the first of a series has been prepared by the War Department to acquaint members of the Army with factual information as to the causes , the events , leading up to our entry into the War and the principles for which we are fighting.E. G. Marshall chief of staff tells : ¨A knowledge of these facts in an indispensable part of military training and merits the thoughtful consideration of every American soldier ¨ . ¨We are determined that before the sun set on this terrible struggles , our flags will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand , an overwhelming power on the other ; no compromise is possible and the victory of the democracies can only be complete with the latter defeat of the war machines of Germany and Japan¨. And Vice-President Henry Wallace says : ¨This is a fight between a free world and slave World ¨.Meanwhile in Germany, Italy and Germany is prohibited the reunion , public assembly of more than five persons is strictly forbidden, violators will be prosecuted ; only the application of brutal force used continuously and ruthlessly can bring about the decision in favor of the side it supports : ¨Mein Kampf¨ . As foes of Putch slain in Munich, the ex-premier crushed Hitler's attempt to seize power in 1923 ; in Italy Giacomo Matteotti socialist leader murdered to silence him and slain by Italian Fascisti ; in Japan General Watanabe and Viscount Saito are assassinated by Tokyo clique and Japanese statesman murdered in bed by rebel force of Army officers, plus Inspector General of Military Education slain by group of young rebels and Inoyuye Minister of Finance is also slain . Furthermore in Germany Roehm assassinated in Nazi purge with hundreds dead . Hitler attempts the Christian cross is to be removed from all churches and cathedrals and is to be replaced by the immortal symbol of Germany, the swastika. Berlin , 1935, 700.000 members of the Protestant youth organizations were forced to disband , Nazis storm cardinal Faulhaber's palace and bricks and clubs are hurled at windows . Pastor Niemoller is sent to prison camp and other Pastors are imprisoned in homes ; Nazis jail priests , friars and nuns , arrest follows search and rampage of convents and monasteries. Nazis vent rage on Jews , riots all over Germany, mobs kill , loot and burn . The fascism , Imperialism and Nazism have their own slogans as Hitler says : ¨I want to see again in the eyes of youth the gleam of the beats of prey ¨ ; as Japanese Army slogan : ¨To die emperor is to live forever ¨; as Mussolini : ¨Three cheers for war , noble and beautiful above all ¨ . The film terminates with a patriotic words : ¨Victory of the democracies can only be completed with utter defeat of the war machines of Germany , Italy and Japan ¨. The story is interestingly written by Philip and Julius Epstein , Casablanca's writers . This documentary-propaganda is well directed by Frank Capra and by Anatole Litvak , though uncredited .

If you like Horror films, this one is full of hatred, brutality and things done to humanity that will never be forgotten. America did not want to get involved with War and the U. S. Government stayed as isolationists until Britian & France went to War because of Poland being bombed. Hitler thought he could conquer the world and in some ways he almost did, Japan & Italy also had the same idea, which was lead by a bunch of lunatics. This film breaks down this World War II Documented Footage concerning the Prelude to War, The Nazi Strike, The Secret Life of Hitler and the famous Nuremberg Trials. Even though this film shows the worst real horror film of them all, people still today want to wear their uniforms and their symbol of hatred and death. This is a film that will be viewed by many generations and very Well Remembered.

The series "Why we fight" was US government propaganda to explain to American soldiers, and later the public, why the US was involved in WWII. It is very interesting to watch, and a good way to learn what Americans thought (or were supposed to think) at the time - but on its own this series does not provide an accurate account of the war.Obviously, this was made before political correctness existed, and you can tell: there is talk of 'Japs', the Holocaust is largely ignored. Also, the movie is necessarily ambivalent about the Russian role, who were allies at the time. For example, the Molotov-Von Ribbentrop pact (especially the annex about the division of Eastern Europe) goes virtually unmentioned, and the Red Army's reasons for showing up in Eastern Poland are nebulous.On the other hand, the movies are quite detailed about the people involved, the various Nazi leaders and so on - who would have been household names at the time, but would probably be left out of present day WWII documentaries. Also interesting is that one of the reasons, apparently, why Nazism must be fought was their union busting - surely a reflection of the post-Depression Roosevelt era.All in all, well worth watching. I rate this highly both because it is essential viewing as an historical document, and because it is very well done propaganda (Frank Capra, animations by Disney)! Note that the US government has placed these movies in the public space, which means that perfectly legal, digital versions can be found on the internet.