This was an exceptionally made documentary about the US and the period just before and then during WWI. The narrator is the famous newspaper man, Lowell Thomas.
The beginning of the film consists of a lot of color photographs and postcards about American life around 1914 and then the narration begins after several minutes. Thomas tells about the idyllic life in America in this hopeful period and how Europe began to erupt in full-scale war. But, life went on as usual in American and it was a time of great prosperity. However, while it clearly documents out neutrality, the film then goes on to show how once we foolishly got into this war, how the movies did much to sway the American attitudes. Where once theaters showed films about the war along with slides encouraging the patrons NOT to pick sides or show partisanship, now the studios were actively attacking those who were in favor of peace and neutrality! A fascinating look at the power of film and propaganda.
By the way, Thomas and the creators of the documentary seem to have the opinion that the US should have stayed out of this terrible war. I agree wholeheartedly, but so many other WWI documentaries portray it in a judgment-neutral fashion--it is refreshing to see the difference.
2 out of 2 found this helpful