Hollywood (TV Mini Series) Hollywood Goes to War (1980) User Reviews

A short but interesting piece of Hollywood history

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 24 June 2023]

This is an interesting look at how Hollywood first influenced anti-war feelings prior to the United States entering WWI, and how it then turned on a dime and whipped up patriotic fervor after the Americans entered the war.

In the anti-war camp there was "Intolerance", and Ince's "Civilization". Wilson credited the latter film in helping him win reelection since his campaign slogan was "He Kept Us Out of War". But only a month after his second inauguration the USA did enter WWI. At that time pro war and anti German feelings were fanned both by American feature films and by the stars themselves such as Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, and Charlie Chaplin who made war bond tours.

After the war, Americans were sick of pro and anti war films alike, and they were not made again until 1925's Big Parade which catapulted John Gilbert to a short lived stardom - the talkies would kill his career although that did take several years. This film took a more realistic look at how soldiers' eyes are all starry eyed and full of glory going into war, but the reality of it is something grim and often maiming. Even "All Quiet On The Western Front" is mentioned as being in the same category. That is because there was both a silent and sound version released. The anti-war perspective in these later films lasted until 1940. The feeling that WWI had accomplished nothing that is reflected in these later films is the reason the USA and most of western Europe wanted nothing to do with fighting Germany again until it was almost too late.

One film that I thought sounded fascinating but has been unfortunately lost was 1915's Battle Cry of Peace. It was about the United States army being overwhelmed by a foreign invader on its own soil. The clips that remain and were shown as part of this episode really made me wish it was around today.

One of the best episodes of the series!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 11 October 2014]

"Hollywood: Hollywood Goes to War" is a fantastic episode from a wonderful series by David Gill and Kevin Brownlow. I loved it because it really did a great job describing how the American film industry came to surpass Europe's as well as showing the rather schizophrenic way the industry handled WWI--ranging from deploring the violence to heartily endorsing it!! This switch was amazing due to how quickly this occurred as well as showing one man (D.W. Griffith) who made the most Anti- and Pro- war films--one after the other!! Very well documented, fascinating and well worth your time. And, don't worry that the film ends with discussing the great American anti-war film "All Quiet on the Western Front". Yes, it WAS a sound film but because of when it was released, both sound AND silent versions were made as many theaters had yet to make the switch.

Hollywood Episode 4

[Michael_Elliott · 28 August 2010]

Hollywood: Hollywood Goes to War (1980)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Episode four in the now legendary documentary series takes a look at how Hollywood changed once WW1 began and what impact this would have through the silent era and what eventual downfall it would have at the box office before getting a kick start with THE BIG PARADE. The film starts off with some early examples including CIVILIZATION and then onto Griffith's INTOLERANCE, which is called a box office dud here even though some figures argue against that. When then head towards the war as stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford helped sell war bonds while Griffith was allowed overseas to film HEARTS OF THE WORLD on the front lines. Once again those unfamiliar with the silent era and all it has to offer are going to be in for a real treat as pretty much everything is discussed and shown here. I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed with the quality of not only the clips shown but the way they are presented. I found it quite fascinating to see how the country changed by the time we entered the war and by the time it was winding down. I thought the documentary gave a very clear look at how Hollywood tries to capture the spirits, energy and horrors of the war but at the same time making sure people would continue to come and not be worn down by the images they might see. The post war talk goes to films like THE BIG PARADE, WHAT PRICE GLORY? and the Oscar-winning WINGS. Those interviewed this time out include Gish, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Agnes de Mille, Blanche Sweet, Jesse Lasky, Jr., Valerie von Strokeim and Raoul Walsh. The always entertaining William Wellman also appears with a few nice stories about the making of WINGS.

Hollywood Follows Shift in World War I Sentiment

[dglink · 10/10 · 28 March 2019]

While World War I ravaged Europe and the European film industry, Woodrow Wilson campaigned for president on a platform that would keep the U.S. out of the European war. The country wanted peace, and Hollywood films reflected that desire. "The Battle Cry of Peace," a 1915 propaganda movie, illustrated the effects of an invasion of the United States, while Thomas Ince's "Civilization" depicted Christ watching the misery inflicted by war. D.W. Griffith's spectacular "Intolerance," his follow-up to "The Birth of a Nation," included scenes of war and carnage that stemmed from man's intolerance towards his fellow man.

However, after the Germans torpedoed the Lusitania, the nation's mood shifted, and Wilson declared war on Germany in 1917. Hollywood followed the mood change, and stars like Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks were enlisted to sell Liberty Bonds both on screen and in person. While brave cameramen filmed on the battlefields for propaganda and newsreels, the true horrors of war were edited out; carnage did not sell bonds. Eventually, D.W. Griffith was encouraged by the British government to film "Hearts of the World" with Dorothy and Lillian Gish in 1917; while parts of the film were shot on battlefield locations in Belgium, most was completed in Hollywood. However, the film had some realistic battle scenes and introduced Erich von Strohem in a small part as a villainous German officer, which launched his career as "the man you love to hate." Soon, however, film-makers were ordered to cut back on scenes of German atrocities, such as von Stroheim's tossing a baby out a window, and the war was soon over.

In the years following the Great War, Hollywood was the film production center of the world, although audiences were weary of conflict. War films did not return to the screen until the mid-to-late 1920's, when four big-budget movies appeared that were successful with both critics and audiences. "The Big Parade," starring John Gilbert, premiered in 1925 and was the first film to show the brutal effects of battle. Director King Vidor talks at length about the production and filming, and the clips are generous and well chosen. Raoul Walsh's "What Price Glory" came out a year later; while the film is not given the same coverage as the Vidor film, Walsh's interview provides background at a first attempt to show war could be fun.

Two Academy Award winners climax the episode, 1927's "Wings" and 1930's "All Quiet on the Western Front." Director William Wellman and star Charles Buddy Rogers share their memories of making "Wings," a spectacular epic of war in the air, which was enhanced with sound effects. Sound had fully emerged by the time "All Quiet on the Western Front" was made, but not all theaters were equipped to show them; thus both sound and silent versions were released. Director Lewis Milestone talks about the film's production and offers insight into the development of the unforgettable final scene.

Episode Four of "Hollywood" is solid and includes, not only generous footage from several important movies, but also extensive documentary film of battlefields, the home front, and Hollywood at war. Like other episodes, the film clips are rough and show the ravages of time; fortunately, blu-ray editions of "The Big Parade," "Wings," and "All Quiet on the Western Front" are available, and the interviews with directors Vidor, Walsh, Wellman, and Milestone are the real highlights. Despite minor quibbles, "Hollywood Goes to War" is another essential installment in the Brownlow-Gill masterwork on the American silent film.