Why We Fight Series Analysis
The method through which these texts attempt to meet the purpose of production emphasises the role of film as a shared cultural event. In particular, the Why We Fight series, as it intends to trigger a dialogue that changes attitudes within society, allows for a consideration of the process of spectatorship by those at war. It is important to note Robert Rosenstone's assertion that historical information in film only "fully [satisfies] … the "filmgoer", not "the historian", due to the inherent restrictions of the medium. However, this also suggests that films produced during the period reveal the response of societies to the representations of war in these texts. For example, the success of archival footage in Capra's series provides insight …show more content…
This aspect of the series, coupled with reports of its success, emphasises the participatory dialogue that these films encourage. Furthermore, the use of film to target conceptions about war is seen through the dehumanisation of the enemy in this series. United States Army studies from the period claim that peer pressure was the key solution to high rates of soldiers failing to shoot to kill the enemy during the early stages of the conflict. Appropriately, the representations of enemy combatants in Why We Fight encourage soldiers to respond to the text as a social group. The dehumanisation of the enemy can also be linked to the group response of wider society. The juxtaposition between United States soldiers and the enemy corresponds with the formation of "symbols of patriotism" in similar propaganda films. These representations act to turn United States soldiers into a cultural symbol for civilian viewers. This suggests that similar films can give insight into the origin of popular conceptions of war. The examination of group responses to these texts highlights the significance of film as a cultural event during this …show more content…
Accordingly, the position of film as a shared cultural event demonstrates the success of documentary as war propaganda. This can be attributed to use of cultural symbolism, including ethnic tropes from Hollywood films, and juxtaposition of national lifestyles. These techniques serve to reinforce a conception of the United States as a motivated, and wholly unified, group in the war. Notably, Bosley Crowther's review of the first part in Capra's series in 1943 emphasises how an "inspirational effect" is felt by a combination of this "patriotic symbolism", and the position of the public as previously "uninformed" about the war. However, it is also important to consider the position of the author as a professional critic. This corresponds with his "scholarly" perspective, and disdain for overt patriotism. Despite this, the review reinforces the usefulness of documentary in propaganda. The ability of the genre to meet a shared need for information about the war resulted in the success of the Why We Fight series. As such, it is important to note Capra's use of techniques that merge the need of the public for information with the desire of the government to promote social cohesion. Capra's series, like other government propaganda films, focuses on "the individual's …contribution to society" as the only viable response to current, and future, developments in
Effects Of War Culture
The second is how the censorship within countries on certain types of war tactics and/or updates allowed civilians to have a false sense of hope and or pride for their country. Lastly war culture within the Second World War allowed for nationalism to thrive because the civilian causalities were used to unify the whole country. Mass propaganda, censorship, and civilian causalities, resulting from war culture, influenced the public perception of nationalism within World War…
The Effects Of World War I Propaganda
Specifically, propagandists were able to convince society to do their part through appeals and morality, whether it be fighting on the warfront or remaining homebound. Propaganda taught its audience that everyone had a part to play in World War I; men were to fight on the battlegrounds while women and children were to support the soldiers while remaining homebound (World War I). Propaganda was also supported because of the way it depicted a country's enemies. One of the main goals in war propaganda was to make the country's enemies seem evil and wrong. For example, the poster Destroy This Mad Brute depicts Germany as an ape.…
War Advertisement Analysis
With visual rhetoric techniques, authors make use of pathos, by appealing to the audience's emotions, which creates greater persuasive influence. The author's incorporation of the colors red and white, help reach Americans through the technique of pathos. The creator wanted to make his audience feel that if they bought war bonds, they would be contributing towards this war. Citizens felt persuaded to invest their money into war bonds because the fighters that were at war, were currently battling for their own safety and security. In order to keep their security, Americans felt the need to back the military fighters.…
The Influence Of Propaganda In World War II
America's contribution to World War II was caused by the increase in patriotic morale due to their influenced perspectives on the war. With censorship and approval from the American government, propaganda specifically advertised a certain point-of-view. Therefore, Americans were fed to believe what they see and trust publicized propaganda. Propaganda played a significant role through stimulating visuals and slogans that degraded or encouraged relationships with other nations. Propaganda promoted views on the war, allowing nationalism to emerge within America.…
The Rise Of Fascism And Historical Films On Tudor England
The rise of Fascism and the Second World War made a profound impact upon historical films on Tudor England. This essay will show this through an analysis of the appropriate films and scholarly literature that exists. It will begin by discussing how film studios in Britain and 'Hollywood' begun using historical films on Tudor England to portray an anti-Nazi sentiment to a wide audience. It will become evident that some film studios during this period did not wish to cause offence, and therefore utilised historical films on Tudor England to put forward their own political agenda. This essay will then examine how these historical films on Tudor England became central to the propaganda mission.…
Propaganda In World War 2 Essay
In response to Riefenstahl's film, Frank Capra was hired by the United States military to create a film that demonstrated why the Axis power needed to be beaten back. Both films were successful in changing people's perception of the war because the number of members in the Nazi party grew, and the United States created unity through an extensive war effort. If film hadn't been as effective as it was in WWII, the Allied powers may not have won the war forever changing history. Although, in this day in age, we are very skeptical of the information our government gives us, we must keep in mind the importance of propaganda in keeping the United States a strong…
Control Room, A Documentary By Filmmaker Jehane Noujaim
This is epitomized by U.S Central Command Officer Josh Rushing's realization that Al Jazeera's coverage feeds into the Arab nationalism within their target audience in the same way that Fox News promotes American patriotism. This helps legitimize the unbalanced point of views provided by the Western and Arab media outlets. However, showing polemical perspectives from the media, from the Western and Arab sides, ironically, provides the viewers with a balanced and nuanced point of view, as viewers are exposed to largely opposite narrative styles. Kolmer and Semetko's research on the media coverage during the war provides further evidence of biased reporting as they find that Al Jazeera are 10 times less likely to promote a positive message about the Coalition than competing channels. This large margin contributes to a powerful statement made by an Al Jazeera reporter in the film; she said "in a war the word objectivity becomes a…
Dramatic Symbolism In The King's Speech
The King's Speech: Foul or Fair Representation in Film? Film possesses the power to transport us to different places and times: some real, some imagined. When filmmakers choose real stories, they face difficult artistic decisions that may or may not be supported by reality. In the award-winning film, The King's Speech, director Tom Hooper mirrors many events from the actual speech therapy engagement between King George VI and Leonard Logue. King George VI needs to find his voice to encourage his nation during the horrors of world war with Hitler.…
Analysis Of Erich Maria Remarque's Why War
In Why War?—a series of correspondence between him and Albert Einstein—Sigmund Freud argues that war is solution for the societal elite to accomplish their goals without getting directly involved in conflict. Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front echoes the sentiments and ideas expressed by Sigmund Freud. Freud states that war is an inevitable process towards the progression of society at the cost of individuality, and his sentiments can be seen through Remarque's portrayal of his characters and their reactions to their situation. In his response to Albert Einstein's question as to why humans, who have created multiple technological and societal innovations, still engage in violent fighting, Freud states that conflict is directly…
That's Entertainment Michael Medved Analysis
Medved has also conveyed his main idea to the readers with the use of movies and shows as illustrations such as Friends, Sex and the City, Ally McBeal, and American Beauty. This helps the reader to be more understanding of his point of view. All of these examples and specimens used in the article help to increase credibility of the text and add further support to his argument. Medved may have also involved the military in his text shows to the readers how Hollywood by implication recognizes its blame. Moreover, he uses further quotes such as those of the Polish Priest or for instance Bush's statement in which he clearly states "… our movies and televisions often do not portray the values of the real America I know" to increase his reliability and…