The Negro Soldier Review- By Michael Carlisle

 Title: The Negro Soldier
Year: 1944
Director: Stuart Heisler 
Country: US
Language: English

During World War Two both ally and enemy were making many propaganda films to help in war effort. Many of these film showed their creator's side and opinions as civilized and lawful, and their enemies as brutal savages. In Germany, Leni Riefenstahl was responsible for the now legendary yet controversial propagandist films like Triumph of the Will and Olympia. In America, films like Der Fuhrer's Face, The Great Dictator and The Negro Soldier were equally, if not more, helpful.

Produced by Frank Capra (It's A Wonderful Life), this documentary focuses on the contributions to the American war effort of African-American soldiers. It paints a picture of the Army as a massive machine full of men of every race fighting an unspeakable evil. Of course this evil consists of the Nazi Regime, the Italian government and the Japanese government.

During the uncertain wars of World War Two, the Americans realized that their enemies were not to be underestimated. The Germans were slowly taking over all of Europe and the Italian & Japanese had a vast amount of manpower. For America, it was time to recruit as much people as they possibly could, even if that meant moving past previous racial boundaries, The government went so far as to hire American film Icon Frank Capra to produce this film that would revolutionize society's depiction of the African American.

As a film, it's quite contrived. It reeks of desperation as it completely ignores the racial unpleasantness of slavery and civil rights violations; instead emphasizing the African American's essential influence over the development of the country. The film is illusion, but it worked. Activist groups such as the NAACP and the National Negro Congress called The Negro Soldier “the best ever done” and clamored for it to receive a widespread distribution.

In conclusion, while The Negro Soldier is not as entertaining today, it has as much historical importance as D.W Griffith's Birth of A Nation in regards to black history. The film enticed African Americans to participate in WWII, the participation of African Americans in WWII was a key element in the Civil Rights movement. When they came back from the war, they started questioning their place in society. From there a revolution sparked. Praise it! 4/5