Documentaries
Documentary Films, strictly speaking, are non-fictional, "slice of life" factual works of art, sometimes known as cinema verite. As films became more narrative-based, documentaries branched out and took many forms, some of which have been termed propagandistic or non-objective.
One of Alice's favourite sections, and due to the sheer size of this collection, we have split ioto a number of sub-sections. See side bars on left for more options. By scrolling below are you will be exposed to whole darn caboodle - all of Alice's documentaries.
Right: Werner Herzog directs "Burden of Dreams"
The Stillwell Road - The Battle for Burma (1946)
After the invasion of China by the Japanese army, Burma became a vital land bridge and supply route for the allies in China. This great archival docum... Read more
Islands of Death: Volume 1 (1945)
Containing interviews from people who were there, this documentary series is a comprehensive guide to the battle that raged in the Pacific during the... Read more
Islands of Death: Volume 2 (1945)
The second volume of this excellent series continues its exposition of the battle that raged in the Pacific during the Second World War. Vintage foota... Read more
World War II: Vol. 4 - War Comes to America/D-Day The Normandy Invasion (1945)
7.9/10
Director: Frank Capra
Aka "Why We Fight". "War Comes to America" - Documents the gradual shift of opinion from isolationism to support of the U.S. entry into World War II.... Read more
The Memphis Belle (1944)
7.4/10
Director: William Wyler
Supervised by Lt. Col. William Wyler, director of such classics as 'Mrs Miniver' and 'Wuthering Heights', for the U.S. War Department. The film's subj... Read more
I Was a Fireman (1943)
Director: Humphrey Jennings
Features three films from the man described by Lindsay Anderson as 'the only true poet of the English Cinema'. A collection of key war-time documentar... Read more
The Seventh Victim / Shadows in the Dark (1943)
Director: Mark Robson
Starring: Tom Conway, Jean Brooks, Isabel Jewell, Kim Hunter
A young woman comes to New York City to look for her missing sister and uncovers a deadly devil-worshipping cult in 'The Seventh Victim', starring Kim... Read more
Theatre of War (1943)
6.6/10
Director: Frank Capra
Featuring a compilation of documentaries including a selection from Frank Capras' acclaimed Oscar-winning propaganda series "Why We Fight". "Theatre o... Read more
Kokoda Frontline (1942)
Starring: Damien Parer, Peter FitzSimons
This ground-breaking documentary released in 1942 became Australia's first Oscar-winning film - the first and only Oscar given for news footage. Reno... Read more
World War II: Fury in the Pacific (1941)
7.9/10
Director: Anon
2 war documentaries comprised of archival footage. "December 7, 1941." 'The date that will live in infamy'. It is the day of the early morning surpris... Read more