79434 WORLD IN FLAMES 1940 DOCUMENTARY PRE-WWII AMERICA
Released in 1940, THE WORLD IN FLAMES is an hour-long American documentary that tells the story of the rise of Fascism, and the beginnings of WWII in Asia and Europe. The film begins with scenes of world-wide depression in 1929 and 1930, and continues with (as NY Times reviewer Bosley Crowther described it): "the inevitability of a prepared scenario through the evidences of unrest in Europe, the growth of totalitarian power, the futile gestures made toward appeasement and the eventual clash of arms."<p><p>"One feature of this film for which we are grateful is its careful apportionment of the element of horror. It does not scream out with pictures intended merely to shock. It retains an intelligent perspective. Thus, when it does show briefly the consequences of a decade's collapse—the heartless destruction of cities and the misery of homeless refugees—the evidence is all the more compelling. There are no words for such a record of despair."<p><p>Made prior to American entry into WWII, but with America acting as the "Arsenal of Democracy", the film leaves little doubt that the United States will soon be more than just a distant participant in the struggle for freedom.<p><p>Scenes in the first part of the film include America in the 1930s and the Great Depression, the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President, German suppression of the Jews (10:00 mark) including the Kristallnacht / Krystalnacht events and book burnings, the great drought of 1934 (12 minute mark), strikes in the USA and violence against the veterans marching on Washington (12:45), a coup in Austria (13:00 mark), the death of Von Hindenburg (13:00), the accession of King George (17 minutes), the re-occupation of the Rhineland by Hitler (18 minutes), the invasion of Ethiopia by the Italians (20 minutes), the threat to Czechoslovakia and Prime Minister Chamberlain's efforts to appease Hitler (23:00), advanced manufacture of aircraft in England (26:00) as the nation prepares for war. The film ends with the von Ribbentrop pact between Soviet Russia and Germany. <p><p>We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example like: "01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference."<p><p>This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com