Five Came Back

When World War II begins, five Hollywood directors leave success behind to join the armed forces and make films for the war effort.

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were powerful for American audiences.

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[Kasdan] The group of directors that we're talking about...

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In movies, there was no Fuehrer. There were no Nazis.

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and was proud of his Irish rebel heritage.

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and he got to learn about acting, and, of course, learned from his father.

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When will Nazi aggression end?

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William Wyler.

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and you therefore gave much, much better performances.

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I was not keen about it, but I had no other prospects.

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In the event of war in Europe, I think we should stay out of it entirely.

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of the acclaimed anti-war novel Paths of Glory,

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They're never the kings.

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[narrator] Stevens later said of the film,

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Consumable, and yet of undeniable quality.

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which today are creating a state of international anarchy,

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[narrator] In 1940, John Ford solidified his reputation

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One of my most interesting experiences in filmmaking

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It's that divided personality.

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And then, while they were standing there, he gave the award to John Ford,

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Stalin has ordered the destruction of everything in their path.

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Its runaway success rankled the isolationists in Washington,

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It just was something that we want to live up to ourselves.

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I said, "Mr. Mayer, you know what's going on in the world.

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He said, "You know, maybe you were right.

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This is the people's war. It is our war.

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[narrator] Ultimately, one-third of Hollywood's male workforce would join up.

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And I think that the effort in America of all propaganda films

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[Coppola] Probably at that time, there was no young director

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and a relationship between Hepburn and Tracy

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In fact, what happens is, he's told there's to be a Japanese attack.

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At that moment, reality comes to him, and he moves to meet it.

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And he said, "No, I think you ought to report to your mother.

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And just before the White House running, he said, "Now put this in."

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You go ahead and do a thing, but after it's all over,

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I was a... I was a very unhappy man.

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The thought hit me: "Well, how did it reach me? "

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And the people answered, "Banzai! Banzai!"

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