Summary: A film of the Allied invasion from Normandy to VE Day.
Description: Introduction by General Dwight D Eisenhower. Reel One contains background material and the preparation for the Invasion. The rest of the film is a comparatively detailed account of the ensuing campaign. Each successive conflict is described using the same format - the general situation is illustrated by the use of a pictorial map, the narrator explaining the strategic implications in lightly stressed blank verse. The actual battle is then illustrated with short film sequences, voice-over reminiscences of participants and photo-montage. Some supplementary material - role of the Maquis, supply of maps to the advancing armies, evacuation of the wounded, etc - is also included. The film ends with the link up with the Russians and the occupation of Germany. The continuing war with Japan is noted briefly. Eisenhower initially stressed the importance of team work - this, and the qualities of tenacity and steadfastness, achieved the final victory. The endurance of wartime comradeship may help to secure future peace. The narrator's concluding prayer, from which the title is derived, is by Sir Francis Drake: "...it is not the beginning, but the continuing of the same until it be thoroughly finished, which yieldeth the true glory".
Production Details: Joint Anglo-American Film Planning Committee (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Office of War Information (Production sponsor)
Combat cameramen of USA, Canada, France, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Norway, GB [and Germany] (Production company)
Reed, Carol (Production individual)
Kanin, Garson (Production individual)
Shaw, Irwin (Production individual)
Alwyn, William (Production individual)
Eisenhower, Dwight David1890-10-141969-03-28US General and President of the United States 1953-1961. (Production cast)
Harris, Robert (Production cast)
Reed, Carol (Production cast)
Kanin, Garson (Production cast)
Attenborough, Richard (Production cast)
MacRae, Arthur (Production cast)
Rosay, Francoise (Production cast)
Dauphin, Claude (Production cast)
Hanley, Jimmy (Production cast)
Levine, Sam (Production cast)
Harvey, Frank (Production cast)
Ustinov, Peter Alexander1921-04-162004-03-28 (Production cast)
Laurie, John Emilius1892-08-121983-01-10Served European War, 1914–18 (despatches 5 times, DSO and bar, Chevalier Légion d'Honneur); commanded 6th (Morayshire) Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1918–19, and 2nd Bn Seaforth Highlanders, 1934–38; Comdr, Tientsin Area, British Troops in China, 1939–40 (despatches); 157 Inf. Bde, France, 1940 (CBE); 52nd (Lowland) Div., 1941–42; Combined Operations Training Centre, Inveraray; retired 1945; Col, Seaforth Highlanders, 1947–57 (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: combat, Allied (object name)
operations, Allied military - preparation: D-Day (object name)
propaganda, British - inspirational (object name)
France (geography)
propaganda (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 9
Footage: 7561 ft; Running time: 84 mins
