Product Details

• Actors: Artist Not Provided
• Format: Box set, Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Delta
• DVD Release Date: May 24, 2005
• Run Time: 450 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00096S3UY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,521 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Why We Fight • American Propaganda Films Of WWII 8 CLASSIC FILMS In 1940 soldiers newly drafted into the military lacked enthusiasm for the war. Morale was at an all-time low, and the American war effort was at risk of falling to indifference. Fortunately, in 1942, Major Frank Capra answered the call. He created a series of documentary style, informative films with the aim of explaining to the troops why they were putting their lives on the line and for what principles they were fighting. These popular propaganda films were viewed in many arenas in order to bolster the war effort and raise public opinion. They were screened in war plants, factories, and hometown and foreign movie theaters. And most importantly, they helped shape the public’s awareness of the dangerous fascist movement that was threatening freedom and liberty the world over, giving everyone a boost of patriotism and the commitment to fight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WWII Historical Propaganda Films, January 9, 2007

By	Dr. Christopher G. Walker - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is always important to remember the emotional and psychological mind-set of history's participants in addition to the raw facts/data. To better understand America's past, one needs to study both the events and what was going through the minds of Americans during a given period. Capra effectively captures the prevailing viewpoint of Americans during the WW II years. This is not to say that this was the only view, but rather it was the dominant one. By studying the "Why We Fight" series, it helps one to more thoroughly understand our past. This in turn helps Americans to critically examine our present, and hopefully, make informed decisions about our future.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching "Why We Fight.", January 3, 2007

By	R. Hartman "Prof" (Charleston, WV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I teach American History at our local university. Capra's "informational films" are most usefull in teaching the period. After the disillusionment of WWI and a generation of isolationist feeling even Pearl Harbor was not enough to secure full public support for a European War, the cause of which few understood. I ask my students to place themselves in a 1942 movie theater, viewing one of these films. What does it want you to belive? How do you feel about Germany and the war? Does it answer, "Why We Fight?" Will this war be different from the last? Few fail to pick up on the message or adopt the belifes called for in the making of these films. It is probably the best and most successful "propaganda" project up to that time. There may be no other as intellegently concieved even up to today. You can not understand the war "over there" or at home without viewing these films.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, October 31, 2007

By	Arthur C. Cofresi (Vacaville, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The series of films, "Why we Fight" is compelling not only in its content, but in the way it reflects the attitude of the American public. America did not want to go to war, nor did America want to be drawn into a war. The losses of WWI were still fresh in the minds of most Americans and America was just starting to rebuild after a long depression. The element that is briefly mentioned, but significant are references to the "Industrialist" that poured tons of money to rebuild the German war economy while the rest of the world suffered through the depression. Also, of note is the "Good Guy/Bad Guy" element in the movie. The WWF films made an excellent case that what the Americans were doing was a good thing. It was significant as over time, the German Army realized that they were the bad guys. It may sound silly, but it was true that in a country that was once called the "Holy Roman Empire" basic beliefs about killing resurfaced and played a part in releasing the German Army from having to fight and kill to the death. These are subtle elements that lead to profound insights as to how a war is created and fought, and form the basic appeal for the series.