Introduction

The Negro Soldier is a 1944 documentary created by the United States Army during World War II.

The film was produced by Frank Capra as a follow up to his successful film series Why We Fight.

Find out more in the docuseries “Five Came Back“.

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Outline

The army used this film as propaganda to convince Black Americans to enlist in the army and fight in the war.

Most people regarded the film very highly, some going as far as to say that The Negro Soldier was “one of the finest things that ever happened to America”.

Due to both high reviews and great cinematography, The Negro Soldier proved to be a breakout film influencing army members and civilians of all races.

Trivia

• In 2011, it was chosen to be preserved in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s): Stuart Heisler.
• Producer(s): Frank Capra and US War Department.
• Writer(s): Carlton Moss.
• Music: Albert Glasser, Calvin Jackson, Howard Jackson, Earl Robinson, and Dimitri Tionkin.
• Cinematography: Chief Petty Officer Alan Q. Thompson, Captain Horace Woodard, and Lieutenant Paul C. Vogel.
• Distributor(s): War Activities Committee of the Motion Pictures Industry.
• Release Date: 1944.
• Running Time: 43 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.