Other titles:L'EUROPE ET L'AMERIQUE (French title) [Alternative Title]
EUROPA E AMERICA (Italian title) [Alternative Title]
EUROPA EN AMERIKA (Dutch title) [Alternative Title]
NATO DOCUMENTARIES [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A documentary film made during the Cold War by the North Atlantic Treaty Information Service (NATIS), intended to highlight relations between the United States of America (US) and Europe. The release of the documentary was designed to coincide with bicentennial celebrations, centred on the American Revolution. The narrator (Anthony Quayle) talks primarily about the shared history between Europe and the US over the previous two hundred years. This includes the post-war era in which NATO and the Marshall Plan are used to exemplify their continued cooperation.
Description: The film tackles some of the perceived differences between Europe and the US, such as their politics and history. Ultimately concluding there are far more similarities. Influential European thinkers such as John Locke and Rousseau are used as examples of how the history of the Europe and the US are often interlinked, using the example of the American Revolution to show how European ideas might have influenced the fight for independence.
European personality’s including: inventors, industrialist and agriculturalist are noted as having played a prominent role in America’s development. It is further highlighted that “30 million Europeans” crossed the Atlantic “between 1821 and 1900”.
The film also tackles American isolationism, suggesting that this mindset could have allowed the spread of ideas such as Fascism. The decision to risk entanglement having paid-off and resulted in “… modern concepts of Atlantic Alliance and interdependence”.
The example of the Marshall Plan is used to form an argument in support Europe as a means of collective defence against future conflict. NATO is shown to be the ultimate symbol of strong cross Atlantic relations.
To further reinforce the significance of the cross Atlantic alliance, footage is used of President Kennedy making his famous speech in which he states: “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner). The narrator concludes by appealing to sheared beliefs that unite Europe and the US, proclaiming: “We are all saying the same thing. I am free!”
('X' Reel/01) British troops being trained by United States military personnel at Fort Hood, Waco, Texas. Marching and troop inspections, observed by dignitaries (Lt General Beverly). British officer – Major General Wendell J Coats, Commander 2nd Armoured Division. Instructors assist in weapons handling (M-79 grenades and M-79 launchers) on the firing range and tank (M-60) training. “Company B - 7th Battalion - 6th infantry” driver training in personnel carriers (M-113 APC and M-578 vehicles).
('X' Reel/02) “German Army outs” Civilians watch as troops train cross wheat fields. A unit of Huey (UH-1H) helicopters pass overhead, followed by Chinook’s (CH-47) and Sikorsky (CH-54) helicopters carrying and dropping equipment. More driver training, including: unloading of tanks and vehicles (M-561 cargo carrier, M-151 jeep, M-577 ACP and MAB) from a mobile assault bridge over the Rhine.
Alternative Title:L'EUROPE ET L'AMERIQUE (French title) [Alternative Title]
EUROPA E AMERICA (Italian title) [Alternative Title]
EUROPA EN AMERIKA (Dutch title) [Alternative Title]
NATO DOCUMENTARIES [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:NAT 2065
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM NATO
Featured Period:
Production Date:1976
Production Country:
Production Details: North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Production sponsor)
Petersen Company (Production company)
Quayle, Anthony (Production cast)
Karson, Eric (Production individual)
Dogington, Tom (Production individual)
Reich, Ed (Production individual)
Kimball, John (Production individual)
Halligan, Dick (Production individual)
