Summary: Glowing tributes from American leaders to the courage and military achievements of the USSR preface this wide and dramatic coverage of the period 1941-1943
Description: Russian history (chronology, not politics) is the epic struggle of a wealthy nation and free people, a union of many races and cultures, to protect its frontiers. The Nazi-Soviet pact gave Russia "time to prepare for the coming fight", a battle between military might and the spirit of a people. Rapid advance of Germans to Moscow was halted by the Russian strategy of defensive depth, withdrawal, scorched earth, guerrillas and winter. After Archbishop Sergei's prayers against the invader, the Russians retaliate with planes, tanks and ski-troops, spectacularly filmed. As they liberate towns and villages, they discover the atrocities (piles of corpses in the snow) and cultural savagery (Tchaikovsky and Tolstoy homes sacked) of the Vandals they are pursuing. Long sequences from the siege of Leningrad and the battle of Stalingrad demonstrate the civilian and military courage and endurance which enabled Russia to survive and shatter the legend of Nazi invincibility. Poignant Tchaikovsky extracts and rousing patriotic songs enhance this compassionate film.
Alternative Title:WHY WE FIGHT [Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:ADM 11
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: War Department Special Service Division Army Service Forces (Production company)
Signal Corps (with the cooperation of) (Production company)
Capra, Frank (Production individual)
Litvak, Anatole (Production individual)
Army Air Force Orchestra (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
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: 7281 ft; Running time: 78 mins
