Headline Stories Of The Century: A Newsreel Library Of World War II

Popular from the early 1900s through the 1960s, the newsreels shown in theaters provided the visual side of the news that radio lacked. During the 1940s, people flocked to the theaters to see footage of the war in Europe and the Pacific. This volume in the 4-part Headline Stories of the Century series (the others are America in the News, America in Sports, and American Nostalgia), traces the events of WWII from the beginning of Hitler's rise to power in 1922 to the opening of the Auschwitz memorial in 1967. Edited from the original newsreels in the Hearst News Archive, the 84 clips on the video average about a minute in length, which is much shorter than what people saw in theaters. There is an almost serendipitous feel to the selections: while the major events are covered here in truly abbreviated fashion (Dunkirk, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, etc.), some of the minor choices (one entitled "Nuts!" Said General McAuliffe concerns the general's retort to a request for surrender) seem to be added for filler. Even edited, these newsclips do not provide enough of a cohesive narrative to be entertaining as a documentary; and especially because they're edited, the newsclips are of limited value as a reference tool. As is customary with other Questar Videos, the production is sharp and the series beautifully packaged. We're just not sure who will really benefit from this intermittently interesting abridged collection of newsreels. An optional purchase. [Note: all four tapes are available in a boxed set for $79.95.] (Available from most distributors, or directly from: Questar Video, Inc., 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611; (800) 633-5633; (312) 266-9400; FAX (312) 266-9523.)