Prelude to War

Prelude to War 1942

6.40

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.

1942

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike

Why We Fight: The Nazis Strike 1943

6.40

The second film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series. It introduces Germany as a nation whose aggressive ambitions began in 1863 with Otto von Bismarck and the Nazis as its latest incarnation.

1943

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia

Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia 1943

6.70

The fifth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, revealing the nature and process of the fight between the Soviet Union and Germany in the Second World War.

1943

Why We Fight: The Battle of China

Why We Fight: The Battle of China 1944

6.20

The sixth film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series illustrates Japan's occupation of China, including Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's stirring address before congress, the rape of Nanking, the great 2,000 mile migration, and Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers.

1944

Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain

Why We Fight: The Battle of Britain 1943

6.80

The fourth of Frank Capra's Why We Fight series of seven propaganda films, which made the case for fighting and winning the Second World War. It was released in 1943 and concentrated on the German bombardment of the United Kingdom in anticipation of Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion.

1943

The Fighting Generation

The Fighting Generation 1944

4.90

A 1944 propaganda short film produced for the U.S. Treasury Department and intended to boost war bond sales, directed by an uncredited Alfred Hitchcock and starring Jennifer Jones as a nurse's aide. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive, from the Academy War Film Collection, in 2008.

1944

A Message of Importance

A Message of Importance 1944

3.00

In the final push of World War II, with Germany and Japan on the ropes, Eddie Bracken urges the American people to buy more war bonds.

1944

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer

Why We Fight: Divide and Conquer 1943

6.80

The third film of Frank Capra's 'Why We Fight" propaganda film series, dealing with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940.

1943

War Comes to America

War Comes to America 1945

6.80

The seventh and final film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight World War II propaganda film series. This entry attempts to describe the factors leading up to America's entry into the Second World War.

1945

That Justice Be Done

That Justice Be Done 1945

5.00

Newsreel footage from both sides of World War II make a case for convicting Nazi war criminals.

1945