The War: A Ken Burns Film, which covers everything from a few days before Pearl Harbor to the final days of the war, is a completely different look at what happened. Very few things are sugarcoated, glossed over or even edited. Much of the film is made up of footage taken during operations. While there is a decent amount of footage we've grown to expect in a WWII film, such as the often-used shot of weary soldiers on the march, several images come directly from the battlefield. I was surprised to see the numerous shots taken during bombing runs or during battles between tanks or heavy artillery, but even more surprising (besides that a number of them are in color) is how raw the footage is. There are several shots showing dead bodies littering the battlefield in various states of decay. It is graphic, and something that viewers should be aware of, but it helps to make WWII seem a little more real.
However, the footage isn't even half of what makes The War such an amazing experience - it's the voices of the people who lived through the experience. We tend to glamorize WWII in our minds, usually thinking of the war we've seen in countless movies and videogames. Listening to the stories told by veterans, the picture they paint is much, much different. However, it really isn't what they say that gives their words impact, but how they say it. The thing that struck me about their stories was how many seemed to struggle through their stories; as if they really didn't want to retell the stories. This is also seen in the many personal letters and newspaper articles that are presented throughout. Although many are read by actors like Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson or Josh Lucas, there's a certain power to the words that really brings everything together - especially when heard in conjunction with the images.
The War not only captures what was going on in Europe, but gives insight on its effects in the United States by showcasing four American communities: Mobile, AL; Sacramento, CA; Waterbury, CT; and Leverne, MN. Not only do these moments show a more common view on the war's impact, but it also shows the very real negative side of the war, such as Japanese interment camps and race's role in the war - two things that are sometimes glossed over.
Among the many extras included in the DVD set is commentary from Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, as well as a "Behind the Scenes" featurette and additional interviews not used in the documentary. Several deleted scenes are also included that cover topics from the Holocaust to the role of war correspondents to life after the war. Teachers will be interested to know that Educational Resources are also included that should help you better integrate the movie into classes if you'd like.
In all, The War is just something that works. It leads a real voice to the conflict, as well as to a generation that is slowly fading from memory.
