The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It

If ever a war challenged the case for pacifism, it was World War II. How do you justify a non-violent response to Hitler's global aggression and Final Solution? Narrated by Ed Asner, The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It, from filmmakers Rick Tejada-Flores and Judith Ehrlich, provides no easy answers, but it does present a fascinating, compelling look at WWII conscientious objectors (COs), their motivations, and their enduring legacy. At a time when the entire culture was typified by patriotic song lyrics like, "Let's all back the attack. Let's stand by the ones who are manning the guns and pushing the foe on back," these pacifists not only endured prison and volunteered for dangerous assignments, but their moral stands often led to other important societal reforms. The documentary combines fascinating period footage with interviews of now-elderly CO's, such as Dave Dellinger, Bill Sutherland and Asa Watkins--who went on to help spearhead progressive change in federal prisons and mental hospitals. Others agreed to be medical guinea pigs, and were injected with hepatitis or typhus germs; looking like concentration camp victims themselves, some died as a result. While Jimmy Stewart served in the military, fellow actor Lew Ayres, who had starred in the anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front, became a CO, serving as a medic on the front lines of the South Pacific. By the end of this documentary, most viewers will recognize these men as heroes who maintained their principles of peace and love in the face of a hostile public, men who later were deeply involved in the civil rights movement, the anti-Vietnam war protests, and who served as educators, artists, and religious leaders. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Pendergrast)