In 2009 The History Chanel released a docu series called "WWII In HD." When I came across this in my Netflix browser, I thought it was a feature length documentary, and was surprised (and a little excited) when Netflix prompted me to play the next episode. I only watched the first episode, but fully intend to finish out the series over spring break. The series utilizes recently discovered first hand footage, shot in color, from the war; along with personal accounts from survivors of the war. The voice over talent includes notable actors like: Rob Lowe, Amy Smart, LL Cool J (yes, LL Cool J), and Gary Sinise.
It was interesting to see footage from the late 1930s and early 40s in color, because I am used to seeing film from this time period in black and white. I've seen my fair share of WWII documentaries, but because the images on the screen are in color it evokes a different emotional response for me. The archival footage featured in this series is often on the front lines of battle, and seen through a shaky camera. These factors come together to give a new understanding of the war.
Most of the American documentaries about the Second World War that I have seen start off with Pearl Harbor in 1941, but this first episode started in 1939 with one of the survivors of the war giving an account of what was going on with his life at that time. Jack Warner is Jewish, and originally from Austria, but fled to America after the Nazis invaded Austria in the spring of '39. He went to Hollywood to be an actor, but ended up taking a job in a flower shop in '41. He reflected on how care-free Americans were, while back in Europe life as people knew it was drastically changing. The editors of this episode did a really good job using archival footage of American families and friends enjoying their time while the war was begin fought overseas. Warner even said that he would find himself forgetting about the war because Europe seemed so far away. Starting in a time of calmness in America before Pearl Harbor, especially from a perspective of somebody who had experienced the injustices of the Nazi party during this time, gave a more profound understanding of America's involvement in the war. This also made Pearl Harbor have even more of a resonance with me.
Jack Warner (Present Day)
Jack Warner (c. 1941)
When the United States got involved with the war, our army was the 17th largest in the world (for comparison purposes that's smaller than Romania's was at the time), which was not nearly large enough to fight the Axis' power house that had taken over 1/3 of Europe. The few troops that the States did have were equipped with dated equipment left over from The First World War. It was because of this that, "at the onset of the Second World War, the nature of documentary altered to reflect the interests at work in that conflict" (Saunders 51). Filmmakers from the documentary, and fiction worlds came together to put out work that they thought would, for lack of a better term, rally the troops. It was interesting to see so much archival footage, especially in color, because I'd imagine it is very similar to what was being featured in these documentaries.
I really enjoyed the first episode of this docu series, and I am excited to follow it through till the end. I'm also excited to see how LL Cool J does in a historical documentary.
LL Cool J (c. 1987)
Uhm, because we are both obviously fascinated with Presidential films and War History, i think we should have a screening of this show together! (what do ya say, Murph?....i'll bring the popcorn :D )
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that this documentary is segmented into a series, how does that work? Do the filmmakers recount particular moments and events of the war in each episode? Now, i may be a fan of black and white films, but I also find it fascinating that the cinematography is in color.
Really awesome choice for an assignment, Murph!!
~MBP
(BTW, you mentioned something about LL Cool J.....does he narrate the series?! Too Cool!)