Full text of the negro as a soldier internet archive. The negro soldier is a rallying cry aimed at encouraging the black population to enlist, but the film was praised in both the black and white press for its respectful portrait of black americans. The film opens with an african american minister in church telling his flock why they should join the armed forces to fight the nazis. The negro soldier was written by carlton moss, who would become an important figure in africanamerican independent cinema, and the following year the u. Reel 5 shows negro soldiers in combat in europe, constructing an airfield on a pacific island, working on the alcan highway, driving trucks, and firing artillery. Reel 1, negro soldiers and womens air corps wacs attend church and go through an obstacle course. The structure of the film is that of a black minister who preaches a. We see historical reenactments of african americans as valued participants in us armed conflicts dating from the american revolution. Overview of the negro soldier, 1944, directed by capt. Full 41 minute film debuts november 9 at 4p et on cspan3 courtesy national archives. I really enjoyed this film and the respect it showed. Other articles where the negro soldier is discussed. This documentary urged african americans to enlist and join in the effort to be part of americas continuing fight in world war ii. It was a hollywood film, after all, even though the us taxpayer paid for it.
The united states armys orientation film, the negro soldier, released in january 1944, is one of those rare instances which allows the historian of mass media to speak confidently about conception, execu tion, andto a degreeresults both intended and unintended, of a specific controversial film. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing the negro soldier near you. World war ii was ongoing at the time, and the film may well have served to some degree as a recruitment vehicle for young black men, but it stands most clearly today as an historical piece and an inspiring, patriotic celebration of the american spirit and the critical. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Most people regarded the film very highly, some going as far as to say that the negro soldier. Frank capra supervised this documentary focusing on black participation in world war ii. Army air forces first motion picture unit, documents the work of the tuskegee airmen, the first unit of africanamerican pilots in the us military formed during world war ii. According to government documents at nars, work began on the scenario on june 15, 1942, and the cost of. The structure of the film is that of a black minister who preaches a sermon to his allblack congregation.
Also sign me up for fanmail to get updates on all things movies. Media in category the negro soldier the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. The united states army created the documentary the negro soldier in 1944 during world war ii. It was used by the army to encourage african americans to enlist in. The negro soldier, 1944 digitally restored arc identifier 35956 local identifier 111of51 moving images from the department of defense. The negro soldier 1944 cast and crew the history of and contributions made by black americans in the armed forces from the revolutionary war to the 1940s. Produced by the war department in 1944, the negro soldier is a very interesting documentary honoring africanamerican soldiers. The original idea was to motivate black americans to participate fully in the united statess war effort against germany and japan. War department and produced by frank capra, as a followup to capras why we fight documentary series. The negro soldier 1944 frank capra, stuart heisler. The negro pastor in a beautiful gothicstyle church just like so many negro churches of that timethat is a joke supposedly quotes some text directly from mein kampf. One of the more curious entries in this effort was the negro soldier. The negro soldier 1944 the history of and contributions made by black americans in the armed forces from the revolutionary war to the 1940s.
The library of congress may or may not own a copy of a particular film or. The negro soldier 1944 african americans in wwii us army. With our hyperawareness of racism and its evils, folks today would immediately notice that the documentary paints a ridiculous image of were all one big happy family in regard to blacks in america during wwii. It was so well received by test audiences and military officers alike that it was released to the general public and screened for all soldiers. The negro soldier a twofisted plea for tolerance, told simply, honestly and conscientiously, is the 42minute documentary, the negro soldier, made by the war department under the supervision of. The working title of the film was the negro soldier in world war ii. It was used by the army to encourage african americans to enlist in the army.
To a person who has lived in the nineteenth or twentieth. The negro soldier is a 1944 world war ii propaganda film ordered by the u. Includes scenes of negro west point officers, a negro tank crew, and negro cavalry units. Reel 1, negro soldiers and womens air corps wacs attend church and. Wings for this man 1945, 10min, 16mm narrated by ronald reagan, this compelling artefact, produced in 1945 by the u. All other film comes from official war department films, newsreels, united nations sources and captured enemy material. The army used this film as propaganda to convince black americans to enlist in the army and fight in the war. Youll have to complete your refund and exchange before the posted showtime indicated on your ticket. This propaganda film urged african americans to enlist in the armed forces during world war ii. Well refund your credit card or we can credit your fandango account to use for another movie.
This film was produced in 1944 by frank capra for the united states department of defense. The film was produced by frank capra as a follow up to his successful film series why we fight. Film historians thomas cripps and david culbert, in their 1979 study the negro soldier 1944. Memorable quotes and exchanges from movies, tv series and more. Its portrayal of the heroism and dignity of its black characters is regarded as a touchstone of african american filmmaking. The negro soldier is a 1944 documentary created by the united states army during world war ii. Film propaganda in black and white, wrote only the negro soldier, of all wartime films depicting blacks, actually tried to weave the negro into the fabric of american life.
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