The Negro Soldier (1944)

Documentary focusing on the contributions to the American war effort of African-American soldiers.

Director:

Stuart Heisler (as Capt. Stuart Heisler)

Writer:

Carlton Moss

Stars:

Clyde Turner, Carlton Moss, William Broadus

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Clyde Turner	...	Soloist in church (as Sgt. Clyde Turner)
Carlton Moss	...	Minister
William Broadus	...	Jim
Bertha Woolford	...	Mrs. Bronson (as Bertha Wolford)
Norman Ford	...	Lt. Robert E. Bronson (as Lt. Norman Ford)
Clarence Brooks	...	Chaplain
Joe Louis	...	Self (archive footage)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gertrude Elise Ayer	...	Self - Principal (archive footage)
Richmond Barthé	...	Self - Sculptor (archive footage) (as Richard Barthe)
Erich Borchmeyer	...	Self (archive footage)
Dean Dixon	...	Self - Conductor (archive footage)
W.C. Handy	...	Self (archive footage)
Matthew Henson	...	Self - Polar Explorer (archive footage)
Adolf Hitler	...	Self (archive footage)
Cornelius Johnson	...	Self (archive footage)

Storyline

Documentary focusing on the contributions to the American war effort of African-American soldiers.

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Plot Keywords:

african american | race relations | world war one | world war two | war memorial | 

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Taglines:

Their sacrifice and heroism on the battlefield... will not be forgotten.

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2011, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress with the following statement: "'The Negro Soldier' showcased the contributions of blacks to American society and their heroism in the nation's wars, portraying them in a dignified, realistic, and far less stereotypical manner than they had been depicted in previous Hollywood films."

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Quotes

Minister: To the enemy, our country is something to destroy. Our homes, our right to worship God, our little belongings, something to crush, to shackle, to plunder. O God, we thank you for this land, which our fathers have helped to build. Grant that we may with your help be worthy of this heritage. And in our turn, enrich it for our children. So that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth.
Church Choir: [singing] Onward Christian Soldiers, Marching as to war, With the ...

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Alternate Versions

According to government documents, a two-reel shortened version of the film was released in July 1944.

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Connections

Featured in Frank Capra's American Dream (1997)

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Soundtracks

I've Been Working on the Railroad
Traditional

User Reviews

Well-made propaganda film

A US World War 2 propaganda film, showing how African-American soldiers are helping the Allied cause.

A well-made propaganda film. Quite stirring in showing the contribution African-Americans had made to previous wars and were making to the current war, World War 2. Made to convince African-Americans to join up and help win the war it does well to paper over the race-based social divide that existed in the US at the time.

Quite sad in the respect in that, while it was okay for African-Americans to fight and die for their country, they were treated as second class citizens at home, with less rights than whites. Just the fact that the film had to be made is a sad reflection of the times.

This said, it is very effective in its purpose and is even quite emotional at times. Some good military footage too.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Negro Soldier

Box Office

Budget:

$78,254 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

U.S. War Department

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1