The film industry took a turn after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 1942, The Office of War Information (OWI) was created. Headed by the U.S. Government, its purpose was to be used as a propaganda agency during World War II. The Office of War Information partnered with the film industry to capture the war-time activities via photography and film. Together they released newsreels, propaganda, short films, educational films, and documentaries for civilians and military troops. The early 1940's is where we see a huge use of propaganda. The government pushed the film industry to gear their films towards some form of propaganda. War films were more realistic than films of the time, or even in the years before. The war films offered reassurance, escapist entrainment, and all films had a patriotic theme. Casablanca is an example of a subtle use of propaganda, with it's romance and heroism. Casablanca was about two lovers separated by World War II. Film productions also helped collaborate with the military to create documentaries. Documentaries such as The Battle of Midway were captured by U.S. Navy men. The film captures live footage of the Japanese attack on Midway. These films were made to show Americans what the troops did, and what went on in battle. Other films, such as 49th Parallel (which was released before the Pearl Harbor attack) was made by Michael Powell, a British writer/director. His purpose was to scare the United States into joining the war because we were neutral at the time. At the request of the military, film producers made films that would train the troops for war. Films such as Parachute Battalion, trained troops on the steps and precautions to take when parachuting out of a plane. Even the Disney Studio Production took part in this.
Many actors enlisted during World War II to show their patriotism for their country. Stars such as Henry Fonda, George Kennedy, and Don Knotts served in the military. It set a great example for many Americans and enforced the morale that men were to go off and fight. In addition, war films were also used to exalt America's allies in films such as Edge of Darkness , a film about Norwegian resistance fighters, and Mrs. Miniver, a story about a British family on the home front. Many of America's war films were meant to promote the unity of America and demonize the enemies.
I really had no idea that so much war propaganda was made during and after Pearl Harbor and during WWII. It would be scary to watch 49th parallel and live footage of the Japanese attack on Midway. I would be afraid if I was a photographer or a cameraman back in the day because being in such close proximity of a war would be really dangerous. I think it would be kinda cool to watch a full one though. The images would be so much clearer and the graphics would be so much different now than 60 sixty years ago.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting on how people filmed actual live footage of the battle at midway. For myself I have always been interested in war movies or documentaries. I also feel the government wanted more films on war to show the American people what was actually going on and show them what is was like being at war. They wanted to show the reality of war. My grandma was actually on the island of Oahu when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She claims she remembers the planes flying over her house on their way to Pearl Harbor literally 5 minutes before the bombing started. She also remembers hearing some of the explosions from the attack.
ReplyDeleteThe war had a huge effect on the United States. I had no idea that it had such a big effect on the film industry alone. With all these films about war, it gave the Americans a good understanding about what people had to do in the was such as the parachute battalion movie. Also with all the other movies it showed what these soldiers went through in the war. Today, they are still making movies about WWII such as the movie Pearl Harbor. Another realistic war movie that is going on today and came out last year was Act of Valor. Both of these movies were very good.
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