Sociology

Two propaganda war films were a hit in 1943, namely Air Force and Victory through Air Power. Both films had special effects to cover the film occurring in World War II, the former being created by Warner Brothers and the latter by Walt Disney.

Apart from the usual war films seen where the main battles take place in fields, both films focus on the warplanesthe extravagance and magnificence of these planes are just amazing And what makes them even more amazing is that these extraordinaire-type of warplanes are so realistic it makes one think they are for real, that they really exist (T.M.P. New York Times). Moviegoers were just thrilled to watch these movies.

Starting off with Air Force, people who have seen the movie had positive feedbacks According to Crowther of New York Times, it is still a continuously fascinating, frequently thrilling and occasionally exalting show which leaves you limp and triumphant at the end of its two-hour ordeal. To Schwartz, the movie is superior for a propaganda film (Ozus World Movie Reviews). And to quote a staff of Variety, in his review, Air Force is the saga of a Flying Fortress (the Mary Ann, a Boeing B-17). It is gripping, informative, entertaining, thrilling. It is a patriotic heart-throb in celluloid without preaching it is inspirational without being phoney in its emotions.

To sum up the feedbacks about this film, Air Force is just awesome for a propaganda war film with great visual effects and characters that the people can relate to. Warner Brothers outdid themselves in this movie.

Victory through Air Power, on the other hand, is a film inspired from a book written by Seversky (Victory through Air Power) who was a military himself and one of the actors of the film acting as himself. The story in the book came into life when Walt Disney read it and thought it should be filmed.

To quote a staff from New York Times, in his review of the film
Through a brilliantly Technicolored array of maps and diagrams, Mr. Disney and his artists have animated de Severskys ideas with a clarity which could never be achieved simply through the spoken word. The designer and former Russian flying ace of the first World War discourses at length and with warm conviction throughout the latter half of the film, but it is the remarkably lucid exposition effected by the drawings which makes his formula for true aerial strategy understandable even to upper-grade elementary school pupils. Mr. Disney has proved in one bold stroke that the motion picture has great possibilities as an educational factor. (T.M.P.)

Although the film was released in 1943, it was not until the 1990s when it was given theatrical release because of its controversially blatant propaganda.

After seeing the film, many government officials believed that the author of the book and Disney knew what they wanted to share to the public. After this, the Americans became united. The film was effective as it was entertaining the audience while at the same time educating them of what they needed to know. The film was significant for Walt Disney as it marked the birth of educational films.

The film, like Air Force, also received positive feedbacks, what with all the special visual side effects that brought to life a magnificent warplane no words can describe Disney sure did invest his time, effort, and money on this film.

Both films have great impact on social and political views of people of that time. Although also entertaining the audience with the thrilling actions and powerful and awesome visual effects, these movies have especially caused the people to realize what was really happening during the wars. To quote Crowther regarding Air Force, For this one the Warners blew up practically everything but their studio. (New York Times) To add to this, T.M.P. on his review on Victory through Air Power, said, If Victory through Airpower is propaganda, it is at least the most encouraging and inspiring propaganda that the screen has afforded us in a long time. Mr. Disney and staff can be proud of their accomplishment.

True enough, the people will never forget the actions and all those entertaining stuff, but along those superb effects, the people will also come to realize and will remember that there are those brave soldiers out there who are risking their own lives to fight for their country.

To add, let me quote the review of Crowther (New York Times) with a part in Air Force that caught my attention Mary Ann and her sleepless crewon through storm and darkness to Wake Island, where they fall heir to a dog, and thence to Clark Field in the Philippines, for some breathless encounters with the Japs. Can you just imagine yourself in their situation I cant. I dont want to. But these people are risking their lives. They took long treacherous journeys facing danger.

These films were not just made for mere entertainment. Hence, the actors, director, and the crew have put their all to show the people the significance of these soldiers who risk their lives. These films are telling us and encouraging us to be like those people who would fight for their and our rights all at once.