FRANK CAPRA’S CLASSIC 1943 DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE GERMAN INVASION AND SOVIET RUSSIA: First let Josh Neboa record his reaction:

Josh Noboa

11 hours ago, at 8:05 PMNEW

Watching The Battle of Russia (Chapter V of Frank Capra’s Why We Fight series) proved to be a surprisingly impactful viewing experience. While the film does at first appear to be dated in its tone and manner of presentation, its purpose soon becomes evident. This is not simply a historical account or a movie – it is meant to have an educational impact on American soldiers and civilians. Hitler is portrayed as pompous and absurdly unrealistic, failing to recognize that Russia has never succumbed to any foreign conquest throughout history. The lessons of past failed invasions are shown as well as the Nazi onslaught on Soviet Russia. 

The elements of the film that fascinated me involve the depiction of the Soviet people. Given that this film was created in 1943 (years prior to the Cold War), it is certainly impressive to see how much the film loves and admires the Russians for their courage, their unity, their artistry, and, almost, their freedom-loving nature. Considering this information now, however, only a few years after World War II ended, it becomes apparent just how much of an aid American propaganda films gave their allied nations during wartime. Furthermore, it’s equally impressive just how propaganda styles can change throughout history according to political relations between nations. 

The film’s graphics are impressive despite dating back decades, as this film predates computer graphics. The imaginative battle maps and transitions using footage from different times in history made for a compelling viewing experience. Despite all that technology provided different options for storytelling back then, this film still conveys a sense of grand scale and urgency. Even without relying on the most creative technology of the time, the film effectively makes its points.  

On the whole, sticking with the film made it clear just how impactful many older documentaries can be despite being produced decades ago. Although this one is certainly different from what we see today, this historical account of Russia and its history successfully weaves together history, warfare, and persuasion. In many ways, this series shows us just how often media has been utilized throughout history to help unify public opinions in times of turmoil, making this film impactful in its own right.