The World War II Video Library Of The China-Burma-India Theater

Two and a half years in the making, this excellent documentary series on the China-Burma-India theater offers an-depth look at what the series opener calls "The Forgotten Theater." Mixing film footage and still photographs with contemporary graphic maps and interviews, "The Forgotten Theater" traces the history of Japan's aggression in the Far East, from the Tanaka Memorial of 1927-- in which Japan pledged to conquer China--to large scale aggrandizement during WWII, which left Japan in control of the Far East. Running parallel to the story of Japan's intentions is the story of China's political upheaval during the first half of the century. We see the rise of Chiang Kai Shek and the Nationalist forces during the late 20s and 30s, and follow the uneasy relationship between Chiang and his growing rival Mao Tse-Tung. WWII would bring the two politically opposite men together, along with allied troops, to fight against a common enemy: Japan. In the second half of the tape, we meet the legends of the CBI theater: "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell, Jimmy Doolittle, Claire Chennault's "Flying Tigers," Lord Mountbatten, and many others who struggled along the Burma Road to bring supplies to a bottlenecked China. The other tapes in the series, which flesh out the story told in the first volume, are: Flying the Hump, Into the Mouth of the Tiger/Air War in the CBI, The Burma-Ledo Road, Allied Effort, and War Remembered. A fascinating, well-produced series, sure to be a popular addition to library shelves. Highly recommended. (Available from: MemoryMaker Productions, 12811 8th Avenue West, Suite #A-201, Everett, WA 98024; as well as Baker & Taylor Video.)