Two hours of historic old Korean War films, newsreels and footage can be found in this DVD compilation. This is a great mixture of news, propaganda and recruitment movies and fantastic historical video documentation of American media during the peak of the Korean War.
Included Films:
The Crime Of Korea
The Crime Of Korea
Produced: 1950
Length: 15 Minutes
Powerful, bombastic, and often graphic, The Crime of Korea is a bracing brief documentary of the Korean War. Most unusually, the Koreans are painted as tragic victims while accepted racism of the time is casually used (such as the term jap). This humanizing of the Koreans served one purpose: to make the communists look like monsters. The film is icily narrated by a hardened war correspondent who is outraged at the injustice to the Koreans, their beautiful cities, and their culture. Gorgeous shots of Korea, specifically Seoul, are peppered with images of brutality. A wonderfully produced film, The Crime of Korea is an enriching historical experience.
Getting Ready Physically
Getting Ready Physically
Produced: 1951
Length: 11 Minutes
Getting Ready Physically shows how soldiers get into tip top shape for combat. Made just after WWII, the film shows the rough and physically demanding training routines men have to go through. Starting as early as freshman year in high school, if a boy is devoted enough, he can be ready by the time he graduates. The film shows one boy going to the doctor and getting a full examination. Having the chest and heart checked is as important as getting the eyes and ears looked at, just to make sure nothing will hinder the training involved. Getting Ready Physically takes a great cultural look at how people perceived the military in the post war era.
The News Magazine of the Screen
The News Magazine of the Screen
Produced: 1953
Length: 24 Minutes
A newsreel view of the major happenings in the World in 1953, of which, the Korean War plays a very large role.
Service and Citizenship
Service and Citizenship
Produced: 1951
Length: 11 Minutes
Citizenship is the earning of rights by fulfilling responsibilities. Citizenship is more than just serving in the army, it is about being a responsible citizen and investing your time into clubs, activities, sports, by voting, and doing community service. Bill, a member of the citizen army tries to explain to his baby brother through a very long letter that getting a high school education is the best way to serve his country. Only then should he think about enlisting. Part propaganda to get young boys interested in the military in post world war two decrease of men enlisting, the message suggest that enlisting should be a natural continuation of faithful citizenship developed in high schools and extra curricular clubs. Good citizenship, being responsible, is a natural way to earn those rights which so many take for granted. Service and Citizenship, is an interesting look into the ethics and morals of the 1950s as well as the ideals many of the time had about serving in the military, a topic that is still poignant today.
Starting Now Are Your Ready
Starting Now Are Your Ready
Produced: 1951
Length: 11 Minutes
The great struggle of our times, the struggle between freedom and tyranny, the struggle between democracy and communism is a serious, deadly struggle. You know this. You also know that your part in that struggle will mean many kinds of service to the cause of freedom and you will consider that service a part of citizenship. Thus begins, Starting Now, Are You Ready?, a recruiting film for the army during the 1950s and the consequent Korean War that was happening at the time. It addresses the issue of what serving in the military means by having three young boys ask questions to an omniscient narrator, who not only has all the answers but encourages the boys to seek out the truth so that they do not walk into service blind. An interesting look into rhetoric of the time including the notion that serving in the military was fighting against the officious communist party and that service should be a part of every young mans thinking. This film is as valuable as it ever was in terms of military recruitment and asking questions about the military before you join.
Korean Boy Arrives in San Francisco
Korean Boy Arrives in San Francisco
Produced: 1950s
Length: 1 Minutes
Celebrate the homecoming of a Korean orphan boy from the Korean War. Sailing across the ocean to meet his new family, this video shows the first meeting between the orphan and his guardians—a happy moment for all!
Back to Freedom
Back to Freedom
Produced: 1950s
Length: 1 Minutes
A brief Korean War newsreel story.
Relief Supplies for Korea
Relief Supplies for Korea
Produced: 1950s
Length: 1 Minutes
This 1950s video looks at the first relief ship to provide Korea with food, clothing, and medical supplies. After the dockside ceremony, the goods are loaded onto the massive vessel. It is the first mercy ship ever to sail from the port of Stockton.
