PeriscopeFilm | " WORLD WAR I / THE U.S. ENTERS THE CONFLICT " AMERICA IN WWI DOCUMENTARY FILM 15114 @PeriscopeFilm | Uploaded September 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
“World War I / The U.S. Enters the Conflict: American Participation and the Aftermath” (c.1930) is a black-and-white, silent newsreel film chronicling, as the title suggests, America’s participation in the war and the months following its end. It was the third installment of a series on the topic. The film combines various archival newsreel footage to piece together a narrative of America’s participation in the war from battle scenes to the moment of joy when a battalion receives a telegram alerting them of victory. The film then goes on to feature shots of soldiers returning home, armistice parades in major cities across the world, and the redrawing of European territories before ending with footage from the American Legion’s visit to Paris.
Film opens, text page introducing film (0:13). “American preparations for entry in war,” crowds gather outside of armory to watch procession of soldiers, marching band streaming out of armory door (0:25). Coast defenses prepare armaments, perhaps 16-inch gun M1895 (1:03). Arrival of 2 million American troops in France signifying America officially joins the war, crowds gather to watch parade of newly arrived soldiers in St. Nazaire (1:42). Profile shot of General John J. Pershing (2:07). Trench warfare: Dirt rains down from sky after explosion of shell (2:23). Silhouettes of Ford 3-Ton M1918 tanks as they move into battle (2:58). Hindenburg Line on Western Front stretching from Arras to Laffaux, soldiers charge line either Battle of Verdun or Battle of the Somme (3:26). Small sparks of gunfire dot night sky, text flashes across screen announcing surrender of Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, Kaiser Wilhelm flees from Germany, Germany appeals for peace to President Woodrow Wilson (3:32). Group of soldiers huddle around to read telegraph reporting war is over, throw helmets up in air in happy celebration (4:05). War is over, allied forces shake hands, pose side-by-side with soldiers from Central Powers (4:13). Global celebrations: Aerial view of crowds filling streets of Paris for Fête de la Victoire/ Armistice Day; Luxor Obelisk, Arc de Triomphe (4:40). Victory parade in London (5:10). Victory parade in New York, confetti falls from sky, people weave in and out of traffic and trollies waving American flags (5:20). Changing map of Europe: Map and text describe changing configuration of Europe i.e. Return of Alsace–Lorraine to France; Austro-Hungarian territorial holdings reduced; Poland becomes independent from Russia, Germany, Austria; Czechoslovakia formed; Serbia wiped out and replaced with Yugoslavia (5:35-12:21). War is over, American troops begin to return to the United States; Troops with full packs seen walking onto ships docked at port (12:23). General Pershing on horseback leads parade down Pennsylvania Avenue (12:34). Flanders Field American Cemetery (13:34). American Legion convention in Paris 1927 (14:11). Aerial view of Suresnes American Cemetery (14:29). Marshall Foch in uniform makes speech honoring fallen soldiers in front of crowd (14:58). General Pershing, also in uniform, delivers speech (15:09). Parisians line city streets, cheer as American Legion marches along streets waving American flags, marching band (15:26). Those in parade pass under Arc de Triomphe and drop flowers at France’s Tomb of the Unknown Solider (15:52). General Gouraud, Marshal Foch salute occupation army (16:44). General Pershing salutes the A.E.F. (17:05). Formal opening of the legion convention in Trocadéro; Facade of Palais du Trocadéro and interior shots (today Palais de Chaillot and the Jardins du Trocadéro) (17:31). Film ends (18:06).
Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
“World War I / The U.S. Enters the Conflict: American Participation and the Aftermath” (c.1930) is a black-and-white, silent newsreel film chronicling, as the title suggests, America’s participation in the war and the months following its end. It was the third installment of a series on the topic. The film combines various archival newsreel footage to piece together a narrative of America’s participation in the war from battle scenes to the moment of joy when a battalion receives a telegram alerting them of victory. The film then goes on to feature shots of soldiers returning home, armistice parades in major cities across the world, and the redrawing of European territories before ending with footage from the American Legion’s visit to Paris.
Film opens, text page introducing film (0:13). “American preparations for entry in war,” crowds gather outside of armory to watch procession of soldiers, marching band streaming out of armory door (0:25). Coast defenses prepare armaments, perhaps 16-inch gun M1895 (1:03). Arrival of 2 million American troops in France signifying America officially joins the war, crowds gather to watch parade of newly arrived soldiers in St. Nazaire (1:42). Profile shot of General John J. Pershing (2:07). Trench warfare: Dirt rains down from sky after explosion of shell (2:23). Silhouettes of Ford 3-Ton M1918 tanks as they move into battle (2:58). Hindenburg Line on Western Front stretching from Arras to Laffaux, soldiers charge line either Battle of Verdun or Battle of the Somme (3:26). Small sparks of gunfire dot night sky, text flashes across screen announcing surrender of Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, Kaiser Wilhelm flees from Germany, Germany appeals for peace to President Woodrow Wilson (3:32). Group of soldiers huddle around to read telegraph reporting war is over, throw helmets up in air in happy celebration (4:05). War is over, allied forces shake hands, pose side-by-side with soldiers from Central Powers (4:13). Global celebrations: Aerial view of crowds filling streets of Paris for Fête de la Victoire/ Armistice Day; Luxor Obelisk, Arc de Triomphe (4:40). Victory parade in London (5:10). Victory parade in New York, confetti falls from sky, people weave in and out of traffic and trollies waving American flags (5:20). Changing map of Europe: Map and text describe changing configuration of Europe i.e. Return of Alsace–Lorraine to France; Austro-Hungarian territorial holdings reduced; Poland becomes independent from Russia, Germany, Austria; Czechoslovakia formed; Serbia wiped out and replaced with Yugoslavia (5:35-12:21). War is over, American troops begin to return to the United States; Troops with full packs seen walking onto ships docked at port (12:23). General Pershing on horseback leads parade down Pennsylvania Avenue (12:34). Flanders Field American Cemetery (13:34). American Legion convention in Paris 1927 (14:11). Aerial view of Suresnes American Cemetery (14:29). Marshall Foch in uniform makes speech honoring fallen soldiers in front of crowd (14:58). General Pershing, also in uniform, delivers speech (15:09). Parisians line city streets, cheer as American Legion marches along streets waving American flags, marching band (15:26). Those in parade pass under Arc de Triomphe and drop flowers at France’s Tomb of the Unknown Solider (15:52). General Gouraud, Marshal Foch salute occupation army (16:44). General Pershing salutes the A.E.F. (17:05). Formal opening of the legion convention in Trocadéro; Facade of Palais du Trocadéro and interior shots (today Palais de Chaillot and the Jardins du Trocadéro) (17:31). Film ends (18:06).
Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
