1943-12-07
N/A
47 min
The first official War Department Report by the Office of Strategic Services using American newsreel footage and footage of film captured from the enemy. Topics include: Gran Sasso aftermath; Japan’s conquered territory; Germany’s troops and provisions; US Military supply logistics; and battle strategy. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2012.
Well this uses loads of archive to do pretty much what it says on the film can. Using a narration that is a little more considered than many similar features made during the Second World War, this documentary attempts to lay before it’s people an analysis of the threats faced by the USA from the Axis powers and the military capacity the USA has and will have to combat these enemies on both it’s eastern and western flanks. Of course, this isn’t going to be used to sew panic amongst the population so it does have a slight propagandist element to it, but again it also makes it quite clear that their foes are formidably organised, resourced and militarised and there is even a sense that they are respectful of their enemies and their abilities. It is that respect that helps this to come across with a more realistic appraisal of the state of affairs in 1943. It also testifies to the skills and courage of the wartime photographer and cameraman who managed to get up close and personal in the air, on sea and on land and in concluding that this battle can be won, but that victory is far from over or easy, it offers us something less gung-ho to watch.
