General Information

Author/Creator

Capra, Frank, director.

Language

English.

Published

United States : Elstree Hill Entertainment, 1944.

Physical Description

DVD-ROM (57 min.)

Digital ver. identifier

HU_OSA_00002340

Contents/Summary

Summary

The third film in the Office of War Information sponsored and Frank Capra directed `Why We Fight' series, "Divide and Conquer" is more propaganda than a documentary. The films in the series were commissioned by United States Army Chief of Staff George Marshall to explain to the draftees why they were fighting and what principles they were fighting for, but were also released almost simultaneously to the general public in 1943. As an opening title card explains, `This film will deal with the period when the Nazi blitzkrieg reached its highest point and Nazi treachery reached its lowest point.' The film begins in the spring of 1940 with scenes of German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and Adolf Hitler giving speeches stating their friendly attitude toward the neutral countries of Denmark and Norway shortly before invading, overrunning, and occupying both nations. After comparing Hitler to the `gangster Dillinger,' "Divide and Conquer" turns it attention to the German plan to attack Holland, Belgium, and France. The French, secure behind the Maginot Line (a series of impregnable fortifications protecting France's border with Germany), and embracing a policy of defense, are caught unprepared when the Germans attack in force through the supposedly impassable Ardennes Forest. Germany's attack was launched on May 10, 1940, and to the surprise and amazement of the world France was overrun within weeks, signing an armistice with Germany on June 22. Meanwhile, the English army narrowly averted complete annihilation as its troops (along with a number of French and Belgium troops) are hastily and heroically evacuated from the French port of Dunkirk. Using a great deal of army and captured enemy film, animated maps and an unidentified US army officer explaining in detail the cause of France's defeat, "Divide and Conquer" portrays the Germans as practically invincible.

Subjects

Genre

Newsreels

Bibliographic Information

Note

Poor image

Duration: 00:57:00

Copyright Status

Copyright by Pickwick Group Limited

Holdings

Item Type	Current Location	Call Number	Status	Shelving Location	Public Note
DVD-ROM	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0608	Available	-	-
Digital film	OSA Film Library	FL Record 0608 (HU_OSA_00002340.mp4)	Available		Access Copy, MP4 format