A Product of Its Time
Disney like most other Americans in the early 1940s wanted to find some
way to contribute to the war effort short of actually fighting. This film - along with the other wartime shorts on the DVD that contains it - stems from that impulse. On one level, the film is meant to educate general audience in the scenarios of the history of flight, aerial combat and the (then) global crisis regarding the Allies vs. the Axis powers. It does its job, entertaining when possible, affirming destruction and American/Allied dominance at critical points. During my most recent viewing of it, I found that it almost seemed to make the case for nuclear warfare. Not outright, mind you, but through its continued emphasis of how Allied airstrikes, because of their remote points of origin, can/could not possibly inflict enough damage to Axis supply lines to shut them down. The film and its military authority Major Seversky propose that long range bombers are the answer - after which a presumably innovative animated version of just such a long range bomber is shown on screen: its long, clumsy-looking, with several large gunwales pointing out all over the plane's body. After seeing that, i could only surmise that military officials of the 1940s saw the folly in trying to build bigger and better airships to do in the Axis. Instead, per the film's rhetoric, the more logical solution seems/seemed to be: "Forget about trying to send a volley of superplanes; instead, send only one plane - but design its cargo to deliver Armageddon!". 
Interesting and important documentary that helped turn the war effort.
This is the rarest of the rare. It's the one Disney film involving
animation that has virtually disappeared. It is most absorbing and interesting and uses animation and a good narrative to clearly make a case for strategic bombing offensives to turn the tide of WW II. It was instrumental in this effort, causing both Churchill and Roosevelt to sit up and take notice. Major Alexander de Seversky's book on the subject is brought to the screen with first an amusing animated history of aviation and then live footage with Severesky himself speaking to the audience to explain his theory, helped with animated examples. It is all so clear and obvious from the present time perspective that it seems incredulous that the great statesmen of the time had to be won over to the tactic. The film earned an Oscar nom for Original Score, although this was nothing special, only adequate. Amazing it did not earn a nomination in the Documentary category as it was probably more important in its effect on WWII than anything else produced in the war years. Very worth seeking out - fascinating film.. |
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