The Second World War; Time Capsule--WWII: War In Europe; World War II: Breadlines To Boomtimes

Produced in Germany by filmmaker Kurt Palm, The Second World War collates a number of original newsreel clips from several countries to trace the course of WWII. Opening with a brief look at the buildup of Hitler's war machine, the first tape covers the 18 day campaign to defeat Poland, followed by clips on the attacks on the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, and Russia. The second tape chronicles the U.S. entrance into the war (following the bombing of Pearl Harbor), tracks the desert warfare in Africa, the Italian campaign, the liberation forces which landed on Normandy on D-Day, the extended war in the Pacific, and the eventual defeat of Germany. The narration often seems simplistic: the emphasis here is more on fireworks than insight, and the tone vacillates from the heroic to the sentimental. At its worst, the film sometimes drops into an annoying present tense ("a sub is hit!"). On the other hand, the archival newsreel footage offers invaluable source material for researchers. Those with strong WWII collections will want to add this; for others this is an optional purchase.Time Capsule--WWII: War In Europe does precisely the same thing as The Second World War, only it's shorter and cheaper. Newsreel footage from land and air battles is backed with brief straightforward rote date and place commentary as Hitler's war machine marches across Europe from 1939 -1942, and is beaten back from 1943-1945. A companion volume Time Capsule--WWII: War in the Pacific is also available. Winners of 1994 Telly Awards (Telly's, like F.A.B. Awards of Excellence, seem to be handed out indiscriminately), the Time Capsule programs are basically just another newsreel compilation with little commentary on the origins, political aspects, social aspects, or ultimate costs of WWII. An optional purchase.World War II: Breadlines to Boomtimes, in contrast, goes beyond the bombs and tanks to examine the social milieu in America leading up to and through WWII. We watched the opening tape in the 3-volume boxed set, Changing the Face of America, which mixed interview clips with history professors and authors together with newsreel, movie, and government film clips to explore America's transition from economic depression to industrial powerhouse. Hosted by actor James B. Sikking (Hill Street Blues, Outland), the series does a good job of telling two different stories: public feeling about America's involvement in the war, and industry and government's role (both before and after they merged to become the military-industrial complex.) In an eerie reverse of today's business landscape, many businesses during the war years went under because they weren't able to convert to defense-related production in a war economy (today, defense contractors are facing the opposite challenge in a time of relative peace). On the public side, Gallup polls from the late 30s and early 40s remind us that--popular stereotypes aside--America was not gung ho to enter WWII. In 1936, 95% of Americans were isolationists to the core, seeing no reason to engage in overseas wars; in 1938--while still opposed to foreign wars--85% of Americans felt that the military should increase defense production. As France and Britain took the brunt of Germany's attack, America stayed on the sidelines, funneling materials to the two beleaguered superpowers at the going rate--a happy arrangement that filled American coffers rather than coffins. All that would change on the morning of December 7, 1941--and America would take a frontline role thereafter in WWII. Not as comprehensive as PBS Video's America Goes to War: The Homefront--WWII, this is also much less expensive, and still offers a very good overview of the period. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)