This is a rare collection of American films produced about different International countries involved in WWII. Table Of Contents: (1) Brazil at War (1943) – Brazil and all its similarities to the United States during WWII. This film was produced shortly after Brazil joined the Allies – 10 minutes (2) Gracias Amigos (1944) – The assistance of South American countries to the Allies cause in WWII was crucial, according to this great film, which says they supplied rubber, nitrates, quartz, sisal, tin and manganese to the Allies – 16 minutes (3) Japanese Relocation (1943) – In this controversial movie, the United States government tries to defend the relocation of Japanese-Americans to camps during WWII. This movie can spark a lot of conversation – 10 minutes (4) Brazil Gets the News (1942) – Including a great tour of a Brazilian newspaper, this film says that Brazils press was modern and free during WWII – 10 minutes (5) A Tale of Two Cities (1946) – An American produced film about the destruction in Nagasaki and Hiroshima? Yes. The narration suggests that America is both proud and guilty for its actions – 12 minutes (6) Japs Surrender (1945) – Castle Films newsreel footage of the celebration after the Japanese surrender in WWII, including USS Missouri footage of the actual surrender- 10 minutes
Included Films:
Tale Of Two Cities
Tale Of Two Cities
Produced: 1946
Length: 12 Minutes
Tale of Two Cities is a famous American-produced film about the aftermath of the devastating nuclear weapon attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima from World War 2. The powerful footage shows the destruction of the two cities months after the attacks, including ground zero and the shadows of vaporized people. The film is punctuated by interviews with locals, including atomic bomb survivors. The narration hints at the guilt that America as a country felt after the attacks, with the dubious claim (repeated twice) that the bombs had been detonated at a high enough elevation that fallout would not harm the populace. A pillar of American and World history, Tale of Two Cities is a gripping examination of the first atomic bomb explosions and the death and destruction they caused.
Japanese Relocation
Japanese Relocation
Produced: 1943
Length: 9 Minutes
This controversial film attempts to defend the highly unconstitutional actions of the United States War Relocation Authority during World War II. Milton S. Eisenhower, director of the WRA, narrates the story of how 100,000 Japanese people, two thirds of them American citizens, were forced into internment camps in order to prevent espionage during the war. Falsely, the film presents the Japanese as willing and happy to sacrifice for the war effort, Japanese themselves cheerfully handled the enormous paperwork involved. The forcible auctioning of their personal property, including houses, businesses, family valuables, and vehicles, is whitewashed as well, with the narrator saying relocation often involved financial sacrifice for the evacuees, who cooperated wholeheartedly. Instead of camps, the film refers to assembly centers located in race tracks, fair grounds, and other public areas. The camps are shown in some detail, including the medical facilities, Americanization classes, cafeteria, irrigation projects, and field work in sugar beet farms. In all, this is a fascinating, but sad look at a dark time in our nations history.
Brazil at War
Brazil at War
Produced: 1943
Length: 9 Minutes
Brazil at War is an interesting World War II video about Brazil joining the Allies in the fight for freedom. Brazil literally gave a division of men to the U.S. command to be trained and managed in combat. It was a successful relationship, by and large, and this film elaborates on how Brazil is a great country, second only to the U.S. in natural resources and manpower. The cosmopolitan Rio de Janeiro is praised as being a modern city like those in the America. The selectively progressive nature of this United State war propaganda film contrasts sharply with racist videos on Americas WWII enemies. Of great historical value, Brazil at War is a fascinating glance at mid 20th century Brazil and Americas stance towards them at the time.
Gracias Amigos
Gracias Amigos
Produced: 1944
Length: 15 Minutes
The United States Office of Inter-American Affairs made this film to honor South American contributions of natural resources during World War II. Republics such as Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil contributed vital raw materials such as manganese, nitrates, rubber, quartz, sisal, and tin to the American war effort. Without these materials, this film contends, the war could not have been won. While reeking of governmental propaganda, Gracias Amigos has an earnest nature and a good message about sharing credit for victory. Such gentle overtones are largely missing from politics today, which means this film provides valuable historical perspective.
Brazil Gets the News
Brazil Gets the News
Produced: 1942
Length: 10 Minutes
Brazil Gets the News is a highly fictitious World War II Propaganda piece that insists Brazils media was as free and unrestricted as Americas, as well as other dubious claims. Brazil was being courted by the United States for help in World War II, and this film was a part of that effort. The footage itself, propaganda aside, is full of fantastic shots of historic printing presses and other newspaper production machinery. Other ludicrous claims, like how Sao Paulo is the Detroit of Brazil, make this historical film engrossingly antiquated. Brazil Gets the News is a superb vintage video for several reasons.
Japs Surrender
Japs Surrender
Produced: 1945
Length: 9 Minutes
A brief account of one of the most important events in World War II history, this short silent newsreel takes the viewer along as the Japanese surrendered to the Allies. Penetrating scenes of warfare set the stage as building and military equipment are bombed into submission. Burning and destruction is all around as the smoke from the violence fills the screen. All of this culminates in the unforgettable mushroom cloud of the atomic bomb. The result of this carnage, captured here in detail, is the Japanese surrender. An American general reads a speech before a crew of Navy men and Japanese representatives. After which the officials sign paperwork to end the fighting between the U.S. and Japan. This is a no-nonsense historical documentation of one of the great events in world history.
