Why We Fight:Frank Capra and “…the best damn documentary

films ever made.”Shannon

Weiss

A Brief BackgroundSeven-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 InspirationTriumph of the Will:

Leni Riefenstahl1934 Nazi Party Congress in NurembergNazi 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. evilPresenting fiction-as-fact

Propaganda Techniques, cont.Sweeping generalizationsIncorporating 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.”