Prelude to War

Prelude to War 1942

6.40

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.

1942

December 7th

December 7th 1943

5.70

"Docudrama" about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 and its results, the recovering of the ships, the improving of defense in Hawaii and the US efforts to beat back the Japanese reinforcements.

1943

Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain

Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain 1943

6.80

The fourth of Frank Capra's Why We Fight series of seven propaganda films, which made the case for fighting and winning the Second World War. It was released in 1943 and concentrated on the German bombardment of the United Kingdom in anticipation of Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion.

1943

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike 1943

6.40

The second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and the Nazis as its latest incarnation.

1943

Why We Fight: The Battle of China

Why We Fight: The Battle of China 1944

6.20

The sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series illustrates Japan's occupation of China, including Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's stirring address before congress, the rape of Nanking, the great 2,000 mile migration, and Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers.

1944

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia 1943

6.70

The fifth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, revealing the nature and process of the fight between the Soviet Union and Germany in the Second World War.

1943

Know Your Enemy: Japan

Know Your Enemy: Japan 1945

5.80

Frank Capra-directed propaganda film produced during World War II depicting the United States' new enemy: Japan.

1945

The End of the Road

The End of the Road 1919

1

Childhood friends Mary Lee and Vera receive two different versions of the 'birds and the bees' from their mothers. Mary Lee gets the facts, while Vera gets a prudish fairytale version. Their lives separate after graduation, Mary Lee becomes a nurse who falls in proper love with a Doctor, whereas Vera follows her mother's advice and seeks to marry a rich man, but falls for the unlawful and syphilitic charms of a wealthy cad. Mary Lee and her Doctor rescue Vera and help her get proper care after a series of revelations showing actual patients of the loathsome disease. Finally, Mary Lee and her new husband volunteer to help our boys fighting the Huns in France.

1919

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer 1943

6.80

The third film of Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight" propaganda film series, dealing with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940.

1943

Seeds of Destiny

Seeds of Destiny 1946

6.00

Oscar winning postwar propaganda film in support of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. Strident but poignant, focusing on children. The film surveys the Nazi/Japanese atrocities, post-war devastation and the early relief efforts. This film was responsible for raising over $200,000,000, making it a top moneymaking film. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.

1946

It's Your War Too

It's Your War Too 1944

1

Documentary short film detailing the history of the American Women's Army Corps, the WACS. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive, Academy War Film Collection, in 2009.

1944

The Japanese Army and Navy

The Japanese Army and Navy 1943

1

An official U.S. War Department film restricted in nature and produced by the US Army Pictorial Service, “The Japanese Army and Navy” is a black-and-white creation that “has been assembled from Japanese films and is designed for use in the Civil Affairs Training Schools conducted by The Provost Marshal General.”

1943

Enemy Mines in Tunisia

Enemy Mines in Tunisia 1943

1

A short documentary on German mines and their deployment in the campaign for North Africa during WWII.

1943

V2 Rocket

V2 Rocket 1947

1

This War Department bulletin from 1947 shows captured German V-2 Rockets being tested at White Sands, New Mexico. German scientist Wernher von Braun designed and helped develop this "vengeance" weapon at Peenemunde during WWII. This was the first long-range ballistic guided missile.

1947

Movies at War

Movies at War 1944

1

Government documentary short explaining the usage and distribution of feature films donated by the motion picture industry for viewing by American troops.

1944

Operation Titanic

Operation Titanic 1945

1

Operation Titanic (code name Frantic - 1944) in WWII. Western Allies planes on bombing missions (raids) over Germany shuttle between their bases in England resp. Italy and bases in Russia.

1945

Action at Angaur

Action at Angaur 1945

1

Action at Angaur is a 1945 short documentary film created by the United States War Department during World War II. The film was created for the 7th War Loan drive[1] and documents the untried 81st Infantry "Wildcat" Division in the Battle of Angaur in the Palau Islands.

1945