Prelude to War (1943)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (writer)
Philip G. Epstein (writer)

Release Date:

27 May 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | War

Tagline:

Your boy wants you to see it!

Plot:

The official World War II US Government film statement defining the various enemies of the Allies and why they must be fought.

Plot Keywords:

Propaganda | WWII | Nazi | Italian History | The Star Spangled Banner

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins

Cast

Max Schmeling

...

German paratrooper

Also Known As:

Why We Fight, 1 (USA) (series title)

Runtime:

53 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Italian | Japanese | Amharic | Russian

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Company:

U.S. Army Special Service Division

Movie Connections:

Referenced in C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)

Soundtrack:

ADESTE FIDELES

I enjoyed it

I found this short film fascinating. It very clearly lays out to the "common man" the argument in favor of getting involved in WW II. Yes, the animation is crude by today's standards and the voice-over is melodramatic, but considering most people of fifty-odd years ago never got anywhere near a college campus and their lives stopped at the city limits of their hometowns, this film does a good job of spelling out what was going on around the world and what was at stake. The earnestness with which it is presented may be seen as campy today, but just imagine what it must have been like, trying to understand it all and trying to guess what it would mean to you and your family.