Historical Documentaries 1895-1980
The following re-mastered documentary films constitute the most scarce and rare motion pictures produced between 1895 and 1960.
Night and Fog 1955
Producer: Anatole Dauman Script: Jean Cayrol Director: Alain Resnais Cinematography: Ghislain Sacha Vierny Narration: Michel Bouquet Music: Hanns Eisler Production: Argos Films 32 min. Color sound French dialog w/English subtitles.
French documentary film short directed by Alain Resnais, it was produced exactly ten years following the Allied liberation of the Nazi concentration/death camps. The title is taken from "Nacht und Nebel" (Night and Fog) program of disappearances and abductions decreed by the Third Reich during the Holocaust. Resnais' film features the haunting visual imagery of the now abandoned grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Majdanek established in Poland while providing descriptions of prisoner's lives in the camps. "Night and Fog" was released to critical acclaim, and still continues to receive high praise today. It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956 to popular acclaim. It was exhibited throughout Paris with many theatrical engagements in May 1956 where it won the Jean Vigo Prize. The film was broadcast on French television in 1990 to remind people of the "horrors of war."
Man with a Movie Camera 1929
Script/Director:Dziga Vertov Cinematography: Mikhail Kaufman Production: All-Ukrainian Photo Cinema Administration Release: January 7, 1929 68 min. B/W silent w/English Inter-titles.
Soviet silent experimental documentary film directed by Dziga Vertov, The production is famous for the wise range of cinematic techniques which the director had literally invented. Although not very commercially successful upon its initial theatrical release in the USSR, the work's fast-cutting, self-reflexivity, and emphasis on form over content were all subjects of criticism. In the British Film Institute's 2012 Sight and Sound poll, however, film critics voted it "the eighth greatest film ever made," it was named "the best documentary of all time" in the same magazine. The National Oleksandr Dovzhenko Film Center placed the film in 2021 at number three of their list of 100 best films in the history of Ukrainian cinema.
Nanook of the North 1922
Producer/Script/Cinematography/Director: Robert J. Flaherty CAST: Allakartallak, Nyla, Cunayou Production: Revillon Freres /Pathe Release: June 11, 1922 79 min. B/W silent w/music score English intertitles.
American silent film combining elements of documentary and docudrama/docufiction. In the tradition that would later be called "salvage ethnography," Flaherty's film follows the struggles of the Inuk man known as "Nanook" and their family in the Canadian Arctic. This film was the very first feature-length documentary to achieve commercial ox-office success. In 1989, "Nanook of the North" was among the first group of twenty-five motion pictures selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
October: 10 Days that Shook the World! 1928
Producer: Arkadly Alekseuev Script: Grigori Aleksandrov. Sergei Eisenstein Direction: Sergei Eisenstein, Grigori Aleksandrov Cinematography: Eduard Tisse CAST: Vladimir Popov, Vasilli Nikandrov. Lyaschenko Production: MosFilm Release: January 20, 1928 115 min. B/W silent w/music score English inter-titles.
Soviet silent propaganda documentary directed by Sergei Eisenstein is a celebratory dramatization of the 1917 October Revolution officially commissioned by Joseph Stalin for the 10th anniversary of the historic event. Although "Ten Days that Shook the World" (then Russian release title) was not initially successful at the box-office in the USSR, cinema historians and scholars consider Eisenstein's film to be "an immensely rich experience - a sweeping historical documentary epic of vast value, and a powerful testament to the director's creativity and artistry.
Olympia 1938
Producer/Script/Director: Leni Riefenstahl Cinematography: Paul Hotzki Music: Herbert Windt Production: Olympia-Film/Tobis-Film Release: April 20, 1938 Part I 226 min. B/W sound German dialog w/English subtitles.
German epic documentary film presented in two parts was written, produced and directed by Leni Riefenstahl, which documented the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games held at the German Stadium during the dark days of the Third Reich. The first part of the sports epic is entitled "Fest der Voelker" (Festival of the People) and the second entitled "Fest der Schoenheit" (Festival of Beauty). Riefenstahl's lengthy film has remained controversial due to its political context and propaganda value. However, the cinematic techniques the director employed are universally admired and respected and has had a lasting influence on cinema and television coverage of sports events. "Olympia" appears on many top lists of the greatest films of all time, including Time magazine's "All top-Time 100 Movies." The Daily Telegraph recognized Riefenstahl's film as "even more dazzling" than "Triumph of the Will." The Times described the film as "visually ravishing." "Olympia" was distinguished with the German National Film Prize (presented by Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels) for Art and Science in 1938; the Greek Sports Prize (1937); Olympic Gold Medal from the International Olympic Committee (1939) and the Lausanne International Film Festival (1948) receiving the "Olympic Diploma."
Three Songs About Lenin 1934
Producer/Script/Director: Dziga Vertov Cinematography: Mark Magidson, Bentsion Monastyrsky, Dimitri Surensky Production: MosFilm Release: 1934 57 min. B/W sound Russian dialog w/English subtitles.
Soviet sound documentary film produced, written and directed by Dziga Vertov based on three favorable songs sung by anonymous people in the USSR about Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
Ordinary Fascism 1965
Producer/Script (co-writer)/Director: Mikhail Romm Script: Yuri Khanyutin, Maya Turovskaya, Mikhail Romm Cinematography: German Lavrov Naration: Mikhail Romm Music: Alemdar Karamanov Production: MosFilm Release: February 1968 138 min. B/W sound Russian dialog w/English subtitles.
Soviet sound documentary film produced, co-written and directed by Mikhail Romm. "Ordinary Fascism" is composed of archival film footage depicting the rise and fall of fascism during the Third Reich. The film's overall style was influenced by the cinematic work of Soviet documentarian Esfir Shub, whom was largely recognized as the creator of the compilation documentary, which utilizes existing historical film footage to depict actual events. Inspired by Shub's state-approved documentary style, Romm culled film material from German archives (East Berlin), archives of postwar anti-fascist organizations, photographic archives and archives seized from the German armed forces in order to create his comprehensive documentary.
The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty 1927
Producer/Script (co-writer)/Cinematography/Director: Esfir Shub Script: Vladimir Lenin, Esfir Shub Release: August 1927 87 min. B/W silent w/music score.
Soviet silent documentary film taking as its subject the fall of the Romanov dynasty of Czar Nicholas II of Russia presented as the principle target of Lenin and the Bolsheviks which led to the October Revolution of 1917.
Nuremerg and Its Teachings 1947
Supervising Producers: Pare Lorenz, Erich Pommer Producer/Script/Director: Stuart Schulberg Script: Budd Schulberg, Stuart Schulberg, John Scott, Michael Gordon, Carl Zuckmayer Music: Hans-Otto Borgmann Production: Information Services Division (ISD)/Documentary Services/Zeit im Film/Military Government of Germany (USA) 78 min. B/W sound English commentary German Inter-titles.
American military documentary film produced by Pare Lorenz, Erich Pommer (formally an Ufa producer), Stuart Schulberg from a screenplay written by Budd Schulberg, Stuart Schulberg, John Scott, Michael Gordon and Carl Zuckmayer, "Nuremberg and Its Lessons" was directed by Stuart Schulberg for the Military Government of Germany (US Zone). This powerful documentary film originally produced in both German and English depicts archival film excerpts from the course of the major Nazi war criminals tribunal during the International Military Tribunal from the opening of the proceedings on November 14, 1945, to the verdict on October 1, 1946. The dramaturgy of the film leads chronologically from the transfer of power to the Nazis, through the unleashing of World War II by the Nazi Reich, to the crimes against humanity and follows the lines of argument of the chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson. In addition to the film material from the Nuremberg courtroom, the documentary contains other contemporary motion pictures, including film excerpts from "The Nazi Plan" (1944) and "Nazi Concentration Camps" (1945), which were shown during the main war crimes tribunal and were entered into as evidence for the prosecution. Seized German film records were also utilized during the course of the trial. "Nuremberg and Its Lessons" was first shown in Washington, D.C. on September 27, 1947, but not shown in U.S. theatres due to the Marshall Plan. In occupied Germany, the film was shown as part of the official reeducation program on November 21, 1948 in Stuttgart and on May 31, 1949 in West Berlin at the Berliner Sportspalast. The film historian Ronny Loewy, who had headed the database project "Cinematography of the Holocaust," described "Nuremberg and Its Lessons" as "one of the most important contemporary historical materials on the trial and history of National Socialism."
The World in Flames 1940
Producer: A.J. Richard Script/Director: William C. Park Commentators: Gregory A. Abbott, Spencer Bentley, Tom Chalmers, Gilbert Martin Production: Paramount Release: October 23, 1940 62 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film depicting the historical events leading up to W.W.II and the first year of the conflict, compiled by Paramount Pictures in 1940 as a cinematic bulwark against Nazi aggression in Europe at the time of the London Blitz. This rare film is compiled from authentic archival film footage.
Archival Film Collection of Thomas Alva Edison 1888-1922
Producer: Thomas A. Edison Script/Direction: Edwin S. Porter, William K.A. Dickson, Walter McCutheon, Edward C. Taylor, Alan Crossland Cinematography: Billy Bitzer Production: Edison Manufacturing Co. Release: 1891-1900 700 min. B/W silent w/music score.
Rare American vintage silent films of Thomas Alva Edison and the Edison Manufacturing Company in East Orange, N.J. which represent the earliest cinematic examples of the first motion picture images produced. There are over seven hundred of hours of rare film material contained in this exceptional collection.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part I. 1900-1918
Producer/Production: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 62 min. German Dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany from the imperial period to the defeat of the Reichswehr (Army) in November 1918. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part II. 1928-1930 Part II. 1928-1930
Producer: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 44 min. German Dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany from the Weimar period of the 1920s through 1930. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part III. 1928
Production: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 44 min. German dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany during the period of the Weimar Republic in 1928. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part IV. 1931
Production: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 45 min. German Dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany during the period of the Weimar Republic in 1931 with the Nazi Party attempts to gain power. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part V. 1932 Part I.
Production: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 38 min. German dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany during the period of the Weimar Republic in 1932 with the political battle in the Reichstag. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Historic Sound Recordings from Germany's History Part VI. 1932 Part II.
Production: Duri sound B/W Release: 2024 29 min. German dialog.
Historic recordings document the history of Germany during the period of the Weimar Republic in 1932 with the political battle in the Reichstag. Contains authentic voices and music juxtaposed with historic photographic imagery from the period.
Communism 1957
Production: U.S. Signal Corps sound B/W Release: 1957 30 min. English dialog.
American anti-communist propaganda documentary film produced by the U.S. Signal Corps and released thru the Defense Dept. and presented to U.S. troops as an Armed Forces Information Film (Nr. 5). The film focuses on the dangers of communism in the contemporary world during the Red Scare in the 1950s.
Face to Face with Communism 1951
Production: Dept. of the Air Force sound B/W Release: 1951 25 min. English dialog.
American anti-communist propaganda documentary film produced by the Dept. of the Air Force in 1951 which dramatizes the effects on a small town of an imagined Soviet invasion of the United States by the USSR. This film is regarded as a Cold War propaganda film shown mainly to U.S. Armed Forces.
Here is China 1947
Production: National War Fund/United China Life, Inc. Narrator: Clifton Fadiman sound B/W Release: 1947 26 min. English dialog.
American informational documentary film produced by the National War Fund and United China Life in 1947 presents the postwar possibilities of China following W.W.II. and the need for China's rebuilding program.
China: Roots of Madness 1967
Producer: David L. Wolper Script: Theodore H. White Director: Mel Stuart CAST: Empress Dowager Cixi, Yuan Shikai, Sun Yat-sen, Chairman Mao Zedong, Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Mel-ling (Madame Chiang), General Joseph Stilwell, Pearl Buck Commentator: Joseph Campanella Music: Harry Freedman Production: David L. Wolper Productions Release: January 31, 1967 29 min. B/W English dialog.
American Cold War anti-communist propaganda documentary produced by David L. Wolper and written by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Theodore H. White with production funds supplied by a donation from John and Page Curran. The production was distinguished with an Emmy Award in the documentary film category. "China: Roots of Madness" attempts to analyze the anti-Western sentiment in China from the official American perspective, covering 170 years of China's political history, from the Boxer Revolution of the Qing Dynasty to the Red Guards of Mao's "Cultural Revolution."
The War for Men's Minds 1943
Producer/Script/Director: Stuart Legg Production: National Film Board of Canada Release: 1943 22 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Canadian wartime documentary film produced, written and directed by Stuart Legg for the National Film Board of Canada. The production was part of the wartime series "The World in Action." Legg's film depicts the significance of the overall impact of film propaganda from the Axis Powers, including Nazi Germany in 1943 during W.W.II. a French language version was also produced entitled "A la conquete de l'esprit humain."
Saga of Western Man: I am a Soldier 1965
Producers: John H. Secondari, Helen Jean Rogers Script: John H. Secondari Director: John F. Hughes Cinematography: Sidney Dobish, Andrew Pearson Production: Secondari Productions Release: 1965 44 min. Color sound English dialog.
American documentary film produced and written by John Secondari concerning U.S. soldiers in A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Calvary who were fighting in the Vietnam War conflict.
Desert Victory 1943
Producer: David MacDonald Script: James Landsale Hodson Director: Roy Boulting Production: Army Film and Photographic Unit, Royal Air Force Production Unit Release: March 1943 70 min. Color sound English dialog.
British feature-length wartime documentary film directed by Roy Boulting and produced by the British Ministry of Information, depicting the Allies' North African campaign against German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel and the Afrika Korps.
Why We Fight Series 1942-1945
Producer/Director (co-director): Frank Capra Script: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Anthony Veiller Direction: Frank Capra, Anatole Litvak Cinematography: Robert J. Flaherty Commentator: Walter Huston, Anthony Veiller Music: Alfred Newman, Dimitri Tiomkin, Howard Jackson Production: U.S. Dept. of War, U.S. Army Pictorial Services, United States Army Signal Corps Release: 1942-1945 417 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American propaganda documentaries composed of seven films produced by the U.S. Department of War from 1942 to 1945, during W.W.II. The seven films included in the series - "Prelude to War" (1942), "The Nazis Strike" (1943), "Divide and Conquer" (1943), "Battle of Britain" (1943), "Battle of Russia" (1943), "Battle of China" (1944) and "War Comes to America" (1945) were directed by Academy Award director Frank Capra and Anatole Litvak. The general purpose of the production of these documentaries was to circulate them to American and Allied G.I.s' on the reasons why they were being asked to fight on foreign lands during the war on all fighting fronts. The first film in the series "Prelude to War" (1942) won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1943.
In the Breach 1937
Producer: Script: Carlos Martinez Baena, Ramon Oliveras Director: Ramon Quadreny Cinematography: Jose de la Mata CAST: Maria Alcaide, Joaquin Puyol Production: S.I.E. Films 17 min. B/W sound Spanish dialog.
Spanish documentary short film directed by Ramon Quadreny concerning the anarcho-syndicalist labor union, the Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), about the development of the social revolution in Spain.
Death Mills 1945
Producer/Director:(co-director) Billy Wilder Script: Hanus Burger Direction: Billy Wilder, Hanus Burger Production: U.S. Dept. of War Release: 1945 22 min. B/W sound English dialog (also available in a German dialog version).
American documentary film produced and co-directed by Billy Wilder and Hanus Burger for the U.S. Dept. of War in 1945. "Death Mills" was produced after the Allied victory over Germany in 1945 primarily intended for postwar German civilian audiences in order to re-educate them about atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. The German language version of the production was released in the American Sector of Germany in January 1946.
Salzburg Summer Festival in Austria 1968
Producer/Director: Carl Zieglmayr Cinematography: Hans Imber, Franz Pelz Commentary: Paula Wesley Production: Helios-Film 24 min. B/W sound German dialog.
Austrian cultural documentary film produced and directed by Carl Zieglmayr and featuring the voice of movie actress Paula Wessley as narrator. This film reviews the rich cultural history of Austria.
The Fighting Lady 1944
Producer: U.S. Navy Director: Edward Steichen Commentary: Robert Taylor, USNR; Charles Boyer (French version only) Music: Alfred Newman Production: U.S. Navy Release: December 21, 1944 61 min. Color sound English dialog.
American documentary film billed as a "newsdrama" directed by Edward Steichen for the U.S. Navy and narrated by Hollywood actor Robert Taylor, USNR.
The Forgotten Village 1941
Producers: Alexander Hammid, Herbert Kline Script: John Steinbeck (story & screenplay) Director: Herbert Kline, Alexander Hammid Cinematography: Alexander Hammid Commentator: Burgess Meredith Music: Hanns Eisler Production: Arthur Mayer & Joseph Burstyn Release: September 9, 1941 67 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American "ethnofiction" documentary film directed by Herbert Kline and Alexander Hammid. The story and screenplay was written by author John Steinbeck ("The Grapes of Wrath"), narrated by Hollywood actor Burgess Meredith, and with a music score by Hanns Eisler. "The Forgotten Village" depicts the conflicts between traditional life in a small Mexican village, and outsiders who want to introduce modernization.
38th Parallel: A Motion Picture History of the Korean War 1950-1953
Producer: Office of Armed Forces Information & Education 56 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military documentary film depicting the history of the Forgotten War of Korea during the bitter conflict which lasted from 1950-1953. An historical film record.
Sunset in the Pacific 1946
Producer: U.S. Coast Guard Script: Charles Lincoln Tedford Commentary: Jackson Beck, Melvin Elliot Music: William Lava Production: Warner Bros. Release: 1946 19 min. Technicolor sound English dialog.
American military documentary film produced by Warner Bros. and the U.S. Coast Guard depicting the role of the front-line motion picture cameramen in the combat fighting theater of the Pacific campaign during W.W.II.
Never Again to Be Denied 1967
Producer/Director: Harold Mayer Associate Producer: Lynne Rhodes Mayer Script: Harold Mayer, Lynne Rhodes Mayer Cinematography: Paul Goldsmith Production: United Jewish Appeal 23 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film produced and directed by Harold Mayer for the United Jewish Appeal in 1967. The film recounts the Six-Day War between Arabs and Israel in 1967 and how it affected the lives of the Israeli people.
Fifty Years Before Your Eyes 1950
Producer: Alfred Butterfield Script: Alfred Butterfield, Thomas H. Wolf Director: Robert Youngson Music: Howard Jackson, William Lava Production: Warner Bros. Release: June 27, 1950 40 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film directed by Robert Youngson and produced by Alfred Butterfield. This film is a chronology tracing history from 1900 until 1950 through authentic newsreels and motion pictures.
Life in the Thirties 1959
Producer: Newsfilm Productions Script: Richard Hanser Producer/Director: Donald B. Hyatt Commentary: Alexander Scourby Music: Robert Russell Bennett Production: Newsfilm Productions 53 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American compilation documentary film from the 1950s chronicling the historical events during the chaotic days of the 1930s in America and the world.
Hitler versus Hindenburg 1968
Producer/Director: Alan Landsberg Producer/Script: David H. Vowell 27 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film pertaining to the role Hitler and Reichspresident Paul von Hindenburg played during the 1932 Reich Presidential election in which they were both political candidates for president of Germany.
Show Business at War 1943
Producer/Director: Louis de Rochemont CAST: Irving Berlin, Jack Benny, Olivia de Havilland, Marlene Dietrich, Deanna Durbin, Hedy Lamar, Al Jolson Production: March of Time Release: May 21, 1943 18 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American short film produced by the March of Time in 1943 in order to tout the Hollywood film industry's contribution to the war effort during W.W.II. This film was a collaboration between several movie studios and actors.
Appointment in Tokyo 1945
Producer: Office of War Information Script: Capt. Jack Handley, Capt. Jessie Lasky, Jr. Director: Jack Hively Music: Sol Kaplan Production: U.S. Army Pictorial Services, U.S. Navy, Army Air Forces Release: 1945 56 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military propaganda documentary film produced by the U.S. Army Pictorial Services, U.S. Signal Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Air Forces and the Office of War Information, and released by Warner Bros. for the War Activities Committee shortly following the unconditional surrender of Japan. "Appointment in Tokyo" was directed by Jack Hively for the War Department in 1945.
Auschwitz 1945
Producer: Film Troops of the First Ukrainian Front Cinematography: M. Oschurkow, A. Woronzow, N. Bykow, K. Ktub-Sade, A. Pawlaw Production: Order of the Red Banner/Central Studio for Documentary Film Release: 1945 45 min. B/W sound Russian dialog & German dialog versions.
Russian documentary film depicting the liberation of the Nazi concentration/extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945.
The Battle of Arras 1917
Producer: William F. Jury Director/Cinematography: Geoffrey H. Mains Production: War Office/Topical Film Co. Release: 1917 87 min. Color silent w/music score.
British historical film documentation produced by William F. Jury, directed and filmed by Geoffrey H. Mains for the War Office and Topical Film Company in 1917. This rare, historic film record documents the first official visual images of the military engagement on the Western Front and the Battle of Arras during 1915-1917.
The Curse of the Swastika 1940
Producer/Director: Fred Watts Script: Vernon Clancey Commentary: Roy de Groot, Bob Danvers Walker Production: Pathe Pictures Ltd. 74 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British wartime propaganda documentary film produced and directed by Fred Watts for Pathe Pictures Ltd. during W.W.II. in 1940. This film utilized newsreel and archival footage of the Third Reich during wartime viewed as England's' and the world's most formidable adversary.
This Time the World 1961
Producer/Script/Director: Marlin Johnson Cinematography: Carol Wickel Production: Sun Film Release: 1961 25 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American political documentary film produced, written and directed by Marlin Johnson for Sun Film in 1961. This film depicts the activities of George Lincoln Rockwell and his American Nazi Party in Arlington, VA during the 1960s.
Menace of the Rising Sun 1942
Producers/Direction: Joseph O'Brien, Thomas Mead Script: Lt. Col. Henry C. Bate, Allan F. Kitchel, Jr. Commentary: Graham McNamee Production: Universal Newsreels Release: 1942 22 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military propaganda documentary film produced and directed by Joseph O'Brien and Thomas Mead for Universal Newsreels during wartime in 1942. This short documentary film focuses on the build-up of the Japanese armed forces resulting in a pattern of future aggression beginning with the attack on Manchuria in 1931. This film reviews the contemporary events which took place from 1931-1942 following the Japanese attack on Pearl Haror on December 7, 1941. Regarded as an American military propaganda film.
Experiments in the Revival of Organisms 1940
Producer/Director: David Yashin Script: Sergei Brukhonenko Cinematography: Yekaterina Kashina CAST: Sergei Brukhonenko, J.B.S. Haldane (commentator) Production: Moscow Studio of Technical Films Release: 1940 20 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Soviet documentary film short directed by David Yashin and starring Sergei Brukhonenko (also commentator). This film purports to document Soviet research into the resuscitation of clinically dead organisms.
Ninth Party Congress 1969
Producer: CCP (Chinese Communist Party) 55 min. B/W sound Chinese dialog.
Chinese propaganda documentary of the Ninth Party Congress by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This film depicts the opening of the Party Congress with Chairman Mao presiding over the Central Committee Party Congress assembly in 1969.
Tenth Anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China 1959
Producer: Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 40 min. Color sound Chinese dialog.
Chinese propaganda documentary film showcasing the 10th Anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China in 1959. This film depicts celebrative festivities of the Chinese state as it commemorates the nation's tenth anniversary.
Reunion 1946
Producer: Peter F. Elgar Script: Alfred Lewis Direction: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Richard Banks, G. Krimsky Commentator: Daniel Chuggerman Music: Robert Lannoy Levitt Production: U.S. Information Service, Paris; U.S. Army 21 min. B/W sound English dialog.
French documentary film short depicting the liberation of Nazi concentration camps following Allied liberation, and the complex transport and housing of the masses of camp inmates, including POWs and other deported populations who are returned to their homes in their native lands at the end of W.W.II.
Seventeen Days: The Story of a Newspaper in the Making 1945
Producer/Script: New York Daily News 17 min. Color sound English dialog Production: The News.
American promotional film documentary produced by the New York Daily News in 1945. This film was a promotional presentation of the establishment of the News, a division of the New York Daily News.
Mr. Bell 1947
Producer: Script: Ardis Smith Director: Richard O. Fleischer Cinematography: Larry O'Reilly CAST: Raymond Edward Johnson, Thomas A. Watson, GardinerHubbard, Mabel Hubbard, Willis J. Walton Music: Nathaniel Shilkret Production: RKO Pathe Inc/Bell Telephone 31 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American biographical short film documentary directed by Richard O. Fleischer and starring Raymond Edward Johnson (as Alexander Graham Bell), Thomas A. Watson, Gardiner Hubbard, Mabel Hubbard, Willis J. Watson and others. The storyline pertains to how inventor Alexander Graham Bell discovered the prototype for the telephone in 1876.
Tomorrow Always Comes 1941
Producer: Burnett Lamont, Director: William Clemens CAST: Gloria Willis, Robert Gist, Jane Earle, Jane Randolph, Betty Furness Cinematography: William Steiner Production: Sound Masters, Inc./Lamont-Clemens, Inc. 31 min. Color sound English dialog.
American fashion promotional film documentary directed by William Clemens and starring Gloria Willis, Robert Gist, Jane Earle, Jane Randolph, Betty Furness and others. This nostalgic film provides a short glimpse into the 1940s glitter of high-end fashion in New York.
The News Magazine of the Screen: The World in the Camera - Problems of the Free World 1952
Producer: Pathe News 31 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American newsreel magazine produced by Pathe News depicting the news events of the world in 1952. This issue focuses on the problems and difficulties of a postwar world embracing the Free World.
Our Enemy - the Japanese 1943
Producer: Office of War Information Bureau of Motion Pictures/U.S. Navy 21 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military training film produced by the Office of War Information Bureau of Motion Pictures and the U.S. Navy in 1943 as an anti-Japanese propaganda documentary film aimed at U.S. Navy sailors during the Pacific campaign during W.W.II.
L.U.C.E. Italian Newsreels Vol. I. 1922-1942
Producer: Instiuto L.U.C..E. 4 hours B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian-produced weekly propaganda newsreels created under Mussolini's fascist Italy from 1922-1942. This collection provides a keen insight into the mentality of the totalitarian regime of fascist Italy.
Styled in California 1962
Producer: Jerry Fairbanks CAST: Janice Paige Production: Montgomery Wards Fashion Productions Release: 1962 15 min. Color sound English dialog.
American retail fashion promotional film produced and directed by Jerry Fairbanks for the Montgomery Wards Fashion Productions in 1962. This short film promotes the latest Montgomery Wards fashion line during the early sixities.
Fears of Children 1951
Producer: Julien Bryan Script/Director: Francis Thompson CAST: Rex Thompson, Anna Minot Franz, Peter Hobbs, Sarah Cunningham, Lee Richmond Cinematography: Peter Glushanok Music: Herman Price Production: National Center for Mental Health, Inc. 29 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American mental health prevention psychiatric documentary film written and directed by Francis Thompson and starring Rex Thompson, Anna Minot Franz, Peter Hobbs, Sarah Cunningham, and Lee Richmond. This informational film focused on the difficulties and problems dealing with mentally disturbed children in America during the fifties.
L.U.C.E. Giornale Wartime Newsreels Vol. I. 1940-1942
Producer: Instituto LUCE 75 min. sound B/W Italian dialog.
Italian fascist propaganda weekly wartime newsreels produced by the L.U.C.E. organization. Wartime activity of the Italian armed forces are depicted in these rare authentic weekly newsreels.
Brezhnev - a Biography 1980
Producer: Documentary Studio of the USSR 30 min. Color sound Russian dialog.
Soviet propaganda documentary biography produced by the Documentary Studio of the USSR in 1980. This propaganda film depicts the life and career of Soviet Premier Leonoid Brezhnev. Considered Soviet propaganda.
Youth 1933
Producer: Institute Nazionle LUCE 16 min. B/W sound Italian dialog.
Italian fascist propaganda documentary film short produced by Instituto Nazionale in Rome in 1933. This short film depicts the involvement of the Italian fascist youth movement under Benito Mussolini. This film provides an understanding of Italy fascist regime (1922-1942) and the impression it made on Italian youth. Considered a fascist propaganda film.
High Lights of the 1936 Olympic Games Berlin (1936)
Producer: Special Enterprises Producer/Director: Allyn B. Carrick Commentator: Jack Martin Production: A..B. Carrick/Veribest Pictures 15 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film on the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin as produced and directed by Allyn B. Carrick for his own production company Veribest Pictures in 1936. This short film depicts the opening of the summer games in Berlin.
Vagabonds Abroad 1936
Amateur home movie production 63 min. Color & B/W silent w/music score.
Private and personal home movie collection of one American couple's European vacation in 1936. Thru these unique and revealing home movies, scenes of European cities and towns are depicted, including in Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Gibraltar, North Africa, Italy, France, Switzerland, and England.
Wonderful World 1959
Producer: Coca-Cola/Jam Handy Productions 44 min. Color sound English dialog.
American promotional documentary film produced by Coca-Cola and Jam Handy Productions in 1959. This promotional film as it is presented appears to be a an American travelogue depicting numerous world famous locations as well as visual imagery of a nostalgic U.S.A.
The National Hunger March 1932
Producer: Workers Film & Photo League of the W.I.R. Director: Leo Hurwitz Cinematography: Sam Brody, Robert Del Luca, William Kruck, Leo Seltzer, Kita, Alfredo Valenti 12 min. B/W silent w/music English Inter-titles.
American social documentary film directed by Leo Hurwitz concerning the 1931 National Hunger March on Washington, D.C. produced by the Workers Film and Video League.
Dictators or Democracy? 1939
Producer: World Almanac Production: Beacon Films 15 min. B/W silent English Inter-titles.
American propaganda documentary film short comparing dictatorial vs. democratic governmental systems during the 1930s paving the road for world war. Contains rare archival film footage.
China at the Front 1949
Producer: Northeast Film Studio Script: Yu Min Director: Wang Bin Production: Northeast Film Studio 16 min. B/W silent English Inter-titles.
Chinese silent documentary film short chronicling the struggle of Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist army against Mao's communist army in 1949 China.
The Movies March Along 1939
Producer: Irving K. Meginnis Production: Megi Films 12 min. B/W silent w/music score English Inter-titles.
American short documentary film depicting the history of early vintage cinema from its embyronic origins in 1895 to the end of the silent film era. Many film excerpts from the heyday of the classic American cinema.
The 100th Year Anniversary of the German Railroad 1935
Producer: Reichsbahn-Filmstelle 21 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German propaganda documentary film promoting the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the German Railroad (1835-1935). As this film was produced in tainted Nazi era, it contains some elements of propaganda.
The City of the Seven Towers 1936
Producer: Dr. Ullrich Westerkamp - Ufa-Kulturfilm Script: Horst Tiller Director: Johannes Guter Cinematography: Erwin Bleek-Wagner Music: Walter Schutze Production: Ufa Release: 1936 15 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German documentarry film short directed by Johannes Guter for Ufa-Kulturfilm depicts the historic architectural achievements of the city of Rostock and its people.
Ship without Classes 1938
Producer: Deutsche Arbeits Front (DAF)/Propaganda Amt Film Direction/Cinematography: E.H. Albrecht, L.O. Geller, H. Heinrich (main director), K.L. Rueppel Music: Friedrich Witeschinck Production: DAF (German Labor Front)/Propaganda Film Dept.) 22 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German propaganda documentary produced by the German Labor Front (DAF)'s film department directed and shot by newsreel cameramen E.H. Albrecht, L.O. Geller, H. Heinrich, and K.L. Rueppel. This film depicts the maiden voyage of the Wilhelm Gustloff and the role the German Labor Front played in the construction and deployment of the immense ship in 1938 Germany. This film contains "mild" propaganda.
The Private and Personal Home Movies of World's Fairs at San Francisco and New York 1939
Amateur personal home movie production 20 min. Color sound English titles.
American color home movies filmed in 16mm Kodachrome of the San Francisco and New York World's Fair in 1939. Provides a unique historical/nostalgic perspective of days gone by.
U.S. Presidential Debate: JFK vs. Nixon 1960
Producer: U.S. Presidential Debates 30 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American television broadcast of the U.S. Presidential Debates in 1960 featuring John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. In 1960, the Republican Party nominated the incumbent vice-president Richard M. Nixon as their presidential nominee, with Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, as his running mate. John F. Kennedy, a senator from Massachusetts, was nominated y the Democratic Party as their presidential nominee. Kennedy chose Senate Democratic leader Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate. Most political polls at the time following the party conventions shows the Nixon/Lodge ticket having a six point lead over the Kennedy/Johnson ticket.
U.S. Veterans Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery 1961
Producer: Newfilm 30 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American television broadcast of U.S. Veterans Day Ceremonies held at Arlington National Cemetery. This film depicts the actual Veteran Day ceremonies with President John F. Kennedy in attendance. An historical film.
Adolf Eichmann Trial 1961
Producer: Milton A. Fruchtman Director: Leo Hurwitz 85 min. B/W sound Israeli dialog.
Israeli television broadcast of the sensational Trial of the Century - the Adolf Eichmann Trial in Jerusalem in 1961. This film depicts the actual 1961 trial of major Holocaust perpetrator Adolf Eichmann who was kidnapped in Argentina by Israeli agents and brought to Israel to stand trial.
With the Marines at Tarwa 1944
Producer/Director: Louis Hayward Cinematography: Norman T. Hatch Production: U.S. Marine Corps Release: March 2, 1944 20 min. Color sound English dialog.
American military documentary film short produced and directed by Louis Hayward utilizes authentic color film footage taken by U.S. Marine Corps front-line cameramen at the Battle of Tarwa telling the story of American servicemen from the time they get the news that they are to participate in the Allied invasion to the final invasion and taking of the island of Tarwa and raising the Stars and Stripes banner. According to the documentary "The War," American President Franklin D. Roosevelt himself gave personal approval for showing the film, against the wishes of many advisors. "With the Marine at Tarwa" won the 1944 Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject. The Oscar was presented to the U.S. Marine Corps, and today a replica is displayed at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
War in Europe 1940
Producer: Newsfilm 15 min. B/W silent w/music English Inter-titles.
British short documentary film depicting the various contemporary news events of the day as the Nazi Blitzkrieg is exposed on UK cinema screens. Hitler's "bloodless coups" are shown as the road to war during the period 1938-1940. Considered a rare archival film document.
Know Your Commonwealth - South Africa 1943
Producer: Crown Film Unit Music: Victor Hely-Hutchinson Editing: Terry Trench Production: South African Bureau of Information 16 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British documentary propaganda film on the country of South Africa as part of the Commonwealth in 1943. This film is considered a propaganda film.
The Big Picture - Army in Action: Three Faces of Evil 1963
Producer: U.S. Army Pictorial Service 30 min. B/W sound English Dialog.
American military propaganda documentary film produced by the U.S. Army Pictorial Service for dissemination purposes to active duty U.S. military personnel. This film depicts the evil personalities and their sinister deeds of the 20th century, including, Hitler, Lenin, Stalin, Tojo, etc.
Highways of Agony 1969
Producer/Director: Earl J. Deems Commentator: Wayne Byers Music: Zoltan Rozsnyai 30 min. Color sound English dialog Production: Highway Safety Films, Inc.
American vehicle safety educational documentary film produced and directed by Earl J. Deems for Highway Safety Films. This sensational safety film is another highway shock film of the genre's founder, former accountant and crime scene officianco Richard Wayne and produced by Richard Wayman. Specializing in educational films targeted at teenagers and schoolchildren, Wayne's films were known for their voyeuristic scenes of automotive carnage in full bloody color along with sinister, almost vindictive commentary.
Eve of Battle 1944
Producer: Allied Expeditionary Forces Service Units Production: U.S. War Dept. News of the Day 20 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American wartime documentary film produced by the Allied Expeditionary Forces Service Units of Great Britain and the United States chronicling the D-Day armada on June 6, 1944 for the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Poland - The Country and the People 1948
Producer: Julien Byron Commentary: Robert Spencer Carr, Mace Cunningham Cinematography: Jules Booker, Julien Byron Music: Jerzy Fitelberg Production: Julien Byron Productions 21 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American documentary film produced and directed by Julien Byron chronicles the history and the heritage of the nation and people of Poland. Contains rare archival film material.
Thunder Over Asia: The Dragon and His Dreams 1966
Producer: Screen News Digest Production: Wolf & Dessauer 16 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American political propaganda documentary produced by Screen Digest for Wolf & Dessauer in 1966. This propaganda film is part of the American anti-communist political campaign during the Cold War period. This film focuses on the "evil deeds" of Chairman Mao of China. Considered as a propaganda film.
A Holiday from Hell 1967
Producer/Script: Sterling Seagrave Cinematography: Bryan Anderson Combat Cinematography: U.S. Marine Corps Commentary: Roger Grimsby Production: NGO TV News 30 min. Color sound English dialog.
American documentary film on military furlough during the Vietnam War conflict in 1967.
The Ultimate Weapon 1953
Producer/Director: Robert Cashy Script: Charles W. Cromer Commentator: Ronald Reagan Cinematography: Arthur Feindel Music: Tommy Morgan Production: Film Consultants of California 30 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American propaganda pseudo-documentary film produced and directed by Robert Cashy and narrated by Hollywood movie actor Ronald Reagan. This propaganda film focused on North Korean brainwashing techniques against U.S. servicemen during the Korean War conflict in 1953. Considered as a propaganda film.
Hungarian W.W. II. Newsreel Collection 1940-1943
Producer: Magyar Vilaghirado 234 min. B/W sound Hungarian Dialog.
Hungarian-produced weekly propaganda newsreels produced during W.W.II. (1940-1943). This rare film collection provides an insight into the film propaganda techniques employed by the Axis partner of Nazi Germany. Considered as propaganda.
After Mein Kampf? 1940
Producer: Walter C. Mycroft Script: Alec Dreyer, Jacques Halk Director: Norman Lee Cinematography: Walter J. Harvey, Roy Parkinson (2nd unit director), Ronald Anscomb (camera) Production: Welwyn Studios/Crystal Pictures, Inc. 54 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British anti-Nazi propaganda documentary film directed by Norman Lee for Welwyn Studios and released by Crystal Pictures. This wartime propaganda produced at the time of the London Blitz is a mixture of documentary and re-enactments relating to a chronology of Hitler's rise to power in the twenties to his height of power during W.W.II. in 1940. "After Mein Kampf?" presents a picture of Nazi Germany as a dangerous threat to the peace of the world. Considered as wartime propaganda.
Attack in the Pacific 1944
Producer: U.S. Dept. of War Producer/Director: Frank Capra Music: David Raksin Production: U.S. Signal Corps. 52 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military documentary film produced and directed by Frank Capra for the U.S. War Dept. in 1944 under the film series title "Armed Forces Information Film Nr. 3." This film concerns U.S. military victories during the Pacific War during W.W.II.
Attack! The Battle for New Britain 1944
Producer/Director: Frank Capra Script: Robert Pressnell Cinematography: Jack Hively Commentator: Lloyd Nolan Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: Army Signal Corps, Army Air Forces Release: June 20, 1944 58 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military documentary film produced and directed by Frank Capra for the Army Signal Corps featuring Lloyd Nolan as commentator. This film concerns the New Britain campaign, which was part of the New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaign during W.W.II.
At the Front in North Africa with the U.S. Army 1942
Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck Director: John Ford Music: David Buttolph, Cyril J. Mockridge, Alfred Newman Production: U.S. War Dept. 42 min. Color sound English dialog.
American military documentary film produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and directed by John Ford for the U.S. War Dept. in 1942. This film documents the war activity in the North African Theater during W.W.II.
Battle of Midway 1942
Producer/Director: John Ford Script: Dudley Nichols, James Kevin MKcGuinness Cinematography: Jack MacKenzie, John Ford, Kenneth M. Pier Commentary: Donald Crisp, Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell and Johnny Governall. Music: Alfred Newman Production: U.S. Navy Release: September 14, 1942 18 min. Color sound English dialog.
American military documentary film produced, directed and shot by John Ford for the U.S. Navy in 1942. The production is a color film montage of the Battle of Midway featuring commentary by various narrators, including Donald Crisp, Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell and Johnny Governall. This film is regarded as an important historical document.
Baptism of Fire 1943
Producer: U.S. Signal Corps 36 min. CAST: Elisha Cook, Jr., Walter Sands, Peter Whitney B/W sound Music: William Lava English dialog.
American military training film produced by the U.S. Signal Corps depicting regular army men preparing for their initial entry into W.W.II. against Germans. This film illustrates the instruction techniques of enemy identification, combat and hand-to-hand fighting.
Battle of San Pietro 1945
Producer: U.S. Army Pictorial Service Script/Director/Commentary: John Huston Cinematography: Jules Buck Music: Dimtri Tiomkin Production: War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry Release: May 3, 1945 33 min. B.W sound English dialog.
American military wartime documentary film written, directed and narrated by John Huston for the U.S. Army Pictorial Service and the War Activities Committee of the Motion Picture Industry. This film documents the Battle of San Pietro Infine from Naples, during W.W.II. The production was theatrically released in the USA by Warner Bros. but exhibuted to U.S. troops previously. "The Battle of San Pietro" is an important historical cinematic document.
Beachhead to Berlin 1944
Producer/Director: Gordon Hollingshead Script: Charles L. Tedford Commentator: Truman Bradley Music: William Lava Production: Warner Bros. Release: December 15, 1945 22 min. Color sound English dialog.
American military Technicolor documentary short film produced and directed by Gordon Hollingshead for Warner Bros. in 1944. This film focuses on the Allied Normandy landings during W.W.II. This film is an important historical document.
C.N.T. Spanish Civil War Newsreels 1936-1939
Producer: Confederacion Nazional del Trabajo (CNT) 245 min. B/W sound Spanish dialog.
Spanish newsreel film collection as sponsored and produced by the CNT in Madrid during 1936-1939. This unique vintage collection features authentic newsreels produced during the Spanish Civil War offering a fresh perspective on the conflict.
The City 1939
Producer: American Documentary Films Inc. Script: Pare Lorenz (outline)Direction/Cinematography: Ralph Steiner, Willard Van Dyke Commentary: Morris Carnovsky, Lewis Mumford Music: Aaron Copeland Production: American Institute of Planers/Civic Films Inc. 17 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American pioneering documentary film short contrasting the problems of the contemporary urban environment with the superior social and physical conditions that can be provided in a planned city community.
Communist Imperialism 1962
Producer/Script/Director: Sid O. Fields Script Consultant: Boyle T. Swain Commentary/Additional Material: Harry von Zell Special Guest: William J. Teague Acknowledgements: U.S. Information Agency, Atlantic Films, Radio Free Europe Fund Production: Pepperdine College Release: 1962 35 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American academic Cold War anti-communist propaganda documentary produced, written and directed by Sid O. Fields in 1962. This film traces the history of communist imperialism from 1917 to 1962 as a threat to the freedom and peace of the world.
National Peoples Army DDR Newsreel Collection 1956-1990
East German (DDR) propaganda newsreel collection highlighting the military state that was the German Democratic Republic during 1956-1990. 180 min. Color & B/W sound German dialog.
East German propaganda newsreels produced in the DDR during 1956-1990. Contains communist propaganda.
The National Socialist Movement (NSB) Dutch Propaganda Newsreel Collection 1931-1933
Vintage propaganda newsreel collection of Anton Mussert's National Socialist Movement (NSB) produced during 1931-1933. These rare newsreels depict authentic scenes of what life was like under Mussert at his rallies and other political conventions in Holland. 6 hours B/W sound Dutch dialog.
The Laughing Man - Confessions of a Murderer 1966
Producer: Robert Michel Director: Walter Heynowski, Gerhard Scheumann Cinematography: Horst Donth, Peter Hellnich Release: 1966 63 min. B/W sound German dialog.
East German (DDR) expose documentary film directed by filmmakers Walter Heynowski and Gerhard Schueumann who took the opportunity to film an interview with Siegfried Mueller, referred to as "Congo Mueller" for his many numerous atrocities committed in the Congo. Being completely fooled, Mueller told the two filmmakers (whom he thought were journalists for Der Stern Magazine) blatantly of his atrocities in the Congo. Mueller had been a Wehrmacht officer during WWII . This film is a brilliant journalistic expose of a definite war criminal guilty of the most heinous atrocities.
Fall of the Weimar Republic 1918-1933
Producer/Script/Director Franz Heidler Production: Archiv-Historischen-Film AG 43 min. German dialog sound.
Vintage archival historical film compilation of the fall of the Weimar Republic from 1918 to 1933. Contains rare film footage of life in Weimar Germany, including politics, arts, cinema, architecture, theatre, etc.
The Dark Years 1933-1945
Production: Rapid-Film Script/Director: Gerhard Grindel Music: Rudolf Perak 70 min. B/W sound German dialog.
German postwar documentary concerning the history of the Third Reich from Hitler's rise to power in 1933 to his death in a Berlin bunker in 1945. Contains rare historic archival film footage.
Anarchy U.S.A. 1965
Producer: John Birch Society Script/Director: G. Edward Griffin 77 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American "Red Scare" right-wing propaganda documentary written and directed by G. Edward Griffin for the John Birch Society during the earliest parts of the Cold War during the mid-1960s. This scurrilous right-wing propaganda film argues that the American Civil Rights Movement and the violent urban disturbances of the Sixties were evident of a worldwide communist revolution and growing dominance on the home front. The polemic warns that communists may be plotting to create an "independent African American state. This film is considered as right-wing political propaganda by contemporary film and political historians.
The Fascist Revolution in World Affairs 1969
Producer: Social Science Foundation Script: Robert Good Director: Noel Jordan Technical Direction: Myron Smith Commentary: Neil Fuller Production: KRMA-TV Denver and the Educational Television & Radio Center 30 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Noel Jordan's 1969 historical documentary on the rise of fascism from 1922-1945 as told thru authentic vintage Italian and German archival footage.
The Vietnam War: Fight for Vietnam 1967
Producer: U.S. Army Pictorial Center 30 min. Color sound English dialog.
American military Cold War propaganda training film designed for new incoming recruits to join the fight in Indo-China in 1967. Also depicts the role of the South Vietnamese Army in the military conflict.
The Fleet that Came to Stay 1945
Producer: U.S. Navy Cinematography: U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps 22 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military propaganda documentary film created by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard concerning the naval engagements during the invasion of Okinawa. This film is considered an American propaganda film produced at the end of the war in 1945.
Hollywood and the Stars: The Angry Screen 1963
Producer/Director: Jack Haley, Jr., Irwin Rosten Script: Irwin Rosten Music: Jack Tillar, Elmer Bernstein Commentator: Joseph Cotton Production United Artists Release: 1963 25 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American historical documentary film produced and directed by Jack Haley, Jr. featuring Hollywood actor Joseph Cotton as commentator. This documentary film concerns the cinema of political propaganda movies as produced from the days of silent classics to contemporary times. This film utilizes film excerpts from numerous political propaganda films produced during the 20th century.
Holy Ghost People 1967
Producer: Blair Boyd Director: Peter Adair Commentary: Peter Adair Production: Thistle Films Release: 1967 53 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American ethnological documentary film directed and narrated by Peter Adair for Thistle Films. This film concerns itself with the Pentecostal religious community in Scrabble Creek, West Virginia, U.S.A. This film depicts their religious practices, including faith healing, snake handling, speaking in tongues and singing. Contemporary film critics have described "Holy Ghost People' as "one of the best ethnographic films ever made." The production has repeatedly been used in anthropology and documentary film classes.
Karl Marx: Portrait of a Great Man 1969
Producer/Script/Director: A. Kosachev Assistant Director: A, Tsineman Production: Central Documentary Film Studios, Moscow 55 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Soviet Cold War propaganda documentary film written, produced and directed by A. Kosachev for the Central Documentary Film Studios in Moscow, USSR. This propaganda film presents the life story of Karl Marx and his importance to Soviet history and politics and addresses the context in which his most famous literary works were created. Considered as Soviet propaganda.
Know Your Enemy: The Viet Cong 1966
Producer: U.S.A.F. Information/U.S. State Dept. 19 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military propaganda documentary produced by the U.S. Air Force Information and the U.S. Sate Dept. in 1966 as a stark warning against the American adversary, the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War conflict. Considered anti-communist propaganda.
Know Your Enemy Japan 1945
Producers/Direction: Frank Capra, Joris Ivans Script: Frank Capra, Carl Foreman, John Huston Commentary: Walter Huston, Dana Andrews Music: Dimitri Tiomkin Production: U.S. War Dept. Release: August 9, 1945 64 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American military WWII. propaganda documentary film produced, written and directed by noted Hollywood director Frank Capra and Dutch documentary filmmaker Joris Ivans featuring actors John Huston and Dana Andrews. Capra's "Know Your Enemy Japan" was commissioned by the U.S. War Dept., had sought to educate American military personnel the "truth" about U.S. adversary Imperial Japan, its people, society, and history, as well as its totalitarian militaristic government Capra's production, though obvious wartime propaganda, is regarded as a cinematic masterpiece by contemporary film historians.
Incensed Japan 1940
Producer: Hirohisa Ikenaga Script: Kosaku Miura Director: Taisuke Aoki Cinematography: Eiji Tsuburaya Commentary: Roko Adachi Music: Nobuo Iida Production: Toho Release: 1940 43 min. B/W sound Japanese dialog.
Japanese WWII militarist propaganda documentary film promoting the natural, military and spiritual role of Imperial Japan during the Pacific War in 1940. Considered a militarist propaganda film by contemporary film and WWII historians.
Kon-Tiki 1950
Producer: Olle Nordemar Script/Director: Thor Heyerdahl Cinematography: Knut Haugland, Erik Hesselberg, Thor Heyerdahl, Torstein Raaby, Herman Watzinger Commentary: Thor Heyerdahl Introduction: Ben Grauer Music: Sune Waldmir Production: Syncrofilm, Artfilm, Sol Lesser Productions Release: January 13, 1950 69 min. B/W sound English dialog.
Norwegian documentary film written, shot and directed by Thor Heyerdahl provides an explanation of Thor Heyerdahl's theories, then depicts diagrams and visual images explaining the construction of the raft (tiki) and its launch from Peru. The remainder of the production depicts Heyerdahl's film crew, on board the raft, shot by the five man technical crew, with commentary written by Heyerdahl. The entire film material was filmed in black & white using a single 16mm motion picture camera. "Kon-Tiki" received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1951 at the 24th Academy Awards. The Oscar officially went to Olle Nordemar, producer. Contemporary film historians consider Heyerdahl's film to be a cinematic masterpiece.
The Titan: The Story of Michaelangelo 1940
Producer/Script/Director: Curt Oertel Cinematography: Harry Ringer, Curt Oertel Commentary: Fredric March, Mathias Wieman Music: Alois Melichar Production: Tobis-Filmkunst GmbH/Degeo-Film Release: March 15, 1940 95 min. B/W sound English dialog.
German documentary film written, produced, directed and co-photographed by Curt Oertel for Tobis-Filmkunst and Degeto-Film. The American version is narrated by Hollywood actor Fredric March in the 1950s. This feature-length documentary film, although produced during the Third Reich period, it contains no propaganda. This fascinating film depicts the life and works of Michaelangelo presented by German movie actor Mathias Wieman, in the historical context of the High Renaissance era.
My Japan 1945
Producer: War Finance Division of the U.S. Treasury Dept. Supervising Producer/Director: M. Clay Adams 17 min. B/W sound English dialog.
American anti-Japanese WWII propaganda documentary film produced and directed by M. Clay Adams for the War Finance Division of the U.S. Treasury Dept. produced to increase sales in U.S. War Bonds. This obvious propaganda film takes the form of a purportedly mock travelogue of Japan, crudely represented by a completely impersonalized Japanese commentator. This is the only film production produced by the War Finance Division in 1945. The overall thematic approach "My Japan" takes is the form of reverse psychology - to make average Americans angry with themselves for their materialistic values, and then turn this anger into hated against the enemy. "My Japan" is considered a scurrilous wartime propaganda film by contemporary cinema historians.
Nightmail 1936
Producer/Direction: Harry Watt, Basil Wright Script: W.H. Auden Cinematography: H.E. Lewis, Jonah Jones CAST: Arthur Clark (engineer), Robert Rae (Snr. Driver) Commentary: John Grierson, Stuart Legg Music: Benjamin Britten Production: GPO Film Unit Release: February 4, 1936 24 min. B/W sound English dialog.
British postal documentary film produced and directed by Harry Watt and Basil Wright. The twenty-four minute film documents the nightly postal train operated by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) from London to Scotland alongside the railroad staff who operate it. "Night Mail" features commentary by John Grierson and Stuart Legg, the production ends with a "verse commentary" written by W.H. Auden to a music score composed by Benjamin Britten. The locomotive depicted in the film is the LMS Royal Scot Class 6115 Scots Guardsman. "Night Mail" had its official premiere on February 4, 1936 at the Cambridge Arts Theatre in Cambridge, England in a launch program for the venue. The picture's general release gained significant critical praise and became an instant classic of its own kind, much imitated by adverts and modern short films. "Night Mail" is widely considered a cinematic masterpiece of the British Documentary Film Movement. Likewise, contemporary film historians consider "Night Mail" as a documentary classic of the British cinema.