Why We Fight: Frank Capra and “…the best damn documentary films ever made.” Shannon Weiss.
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Transcript of Why We Fight: Frank Capra and “…the best damn documentary films ever made.” Shannon Weiss.
Why We Fight:Frank Capra and “…the best damn documentary
films ever made.”Shannon
Weiss
A Brief Background
Seven-part film series:Prelude to WarThe Nazis StrikeDivide and ConquerThe Battle of BritainThe Battle of RussiaThe Battle of ChinaWar Comes to America
Research Question
Were Frank Capra’s documentary films one of the pioneer creations in United States propaganda filmmaking?
The Inspiration
Triumph of the Will:Leni Riefenstahl
1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg
Nazi Propaganda
This film “…fired no gun, dropped no bombs. But as a psychological weapon aimed at destroying the will to resist, it was just as lethal.”
- Frank Capra
Propaganda Techniques
Racial stereotyping to create a strong sense of good vs. evil
Presenting fiction-as-fact
Propaganda Techniques, cont.
Sweeping generalizations
Incorporating different media elements:
Animation Newsreel footageProduction footage
Symbol of the American Mindset of World War II
Propaganda techniques evidence of a racially-charged American society:
Racial stereotypingDirect contrast between good and evil
Historical RelevanceLaid the groundwork for future wartime propaganda films
Propaganda films implemented in Vietnam War:Why Vietnam?The Unique WarVietnamese Village Reborn
Conclusions Why We Fight one of pioneer propaganda film series in the U.S. during World War II
Used new propaganda techniques
Shown throughout the Allied world
Paved way for future U.S. propaganda films
Sources:Capra, Frank. The Name Above the Title.
Footage from Why We Fight and Triumph of the Will.
Fyne, Robert. The Hollywood Propaganda of World War II.
German, Kathleen M. “Frank Capra’s Why We Fight Series and the American Audience.”
Koppes, Clayton R., and Gregory D. Black. Hollywood Goes to War: How Politics, Profits and Propaganda Shaped World War II Movies.
Springer, Claudia. “Military Propaganda: Defense Department Films from World War II and Vietnam.”