Prelude to War (1942)

In the throes of World War II, the stirring documentary Prelude to War emerges as a compelling examination of the causes and early developments of the global conflict. This potent propaganda piece, conceived by the acclaimed Hollywood maestro Frank Capra and the talented Ukrainian director Anatole Litvak, served as an instructional film for U.S. Army soldiers before making its way to the silver screen. The film embarks on a stark exploration of the contrasting landscapes of the 'free' and 'enslaved' worlds, weaving a narrative that underscores the necessity of the fight. It meticulously chronicles the rise of dictatorships in Italy, Germany, and Japan, juxtaposing it against the swelling tides of anti-militarism and isolationism in the United States. Prelude to War doesn't shy away from laying bare the insidious enemy propaganda, while also capturing the initial acts of aggression that set the world ablaze. Guided by the evocative narration of Walter Huston, the film employs a cohesive blend of archival footage, illustrative maps, and striking graphics to paint a vivid picture. As a crucial installment in Capra's "Why We Fight" series, Prelude to War serves as an eye-opening exploration of the complexities and tensions that culminated in World War II. By presenting an unvarnished look at the events leading up to the war, the film provides a riveting and sobering glimpse into a pivotal chapter of human history.

Prelude to War is a documentary movie featuring Walter Huston.

Prelude to War is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy, Plex, Plex Player, The Film Detective and Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor Amazon Channel, FlixFling, GuideDoc, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Prelude to War on Amazon Video and FlixFling.