grantss During World War 2 several movie directors joined the US armed forces, making documentary films of the war. These included five of the greatest directors, not just of that era, but of all time: Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, William Wyler and George Stevens. They had a great impact on the war, and the war had an impact on them, not only during the conflict but in their subsequent cinematic careers.Superb documentary series. The five directors covered in the series are legends of cinema. By the ends of their careers they would, between them, win 14 Oscars and be nominated 50 times (Capra 2 wins, 6 nominations, Ford 4/6, Huston 2/15, Wyler 3/14, Stevens 3/9). Between then they would ultimately direct six Best Picture Oscar winners (It Happened One Night, You Can't Take It With You, How Green Was My Valley, Mrs. Miniver, The Best Years Of Our Lives, Ben Hur).However, from 1942 to 1945 most of their time was spent helping the war effort, directing some brilliant, relevant and inspiring documentaries. These were not shot from behind a desk but out in the thick of it - Ford was wounded at the Battle of Midway, a cameraman of Wyler's was killed in aerial combat while filming The Memphis Belle and Wyler himself lost his hearing while filming the film Thunderbolt.This documentary series shows well how the five of them contributed, often having to fight and manipulate their own War Department to have their films released, or, at least, not tampered with. The personal sacrifices, mentioned previously are also well documented.Most emotionally, the effects of the war on the five of them are examined. They all came back changed men, including in their movie-making styles and careers. The interviews with five present-day directors - Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Paul Greengrass, Guillermo Del Toro and Laurence Kasdan - help frame the contributions of the five and translate their work for us to understand.Good narration by Meryl Streep, adding the right amount of gravitas to proceedings.Great documentary on five extraordinary film-makers. Makes for emotional watching for any lover of the silver screen.

Ersbel Oraph Watching this documentary can be called Mind Blowing. Sure, some people had some beliefs and wanted them shared with the rest of the world. Their work lead to millions of dead. Than millions working to feed and reconstruct Europe so their leaders would get statues and buildings named after them. Okay. Religion kills. Nothing new. But to see the current day people talking excited about this monstrosity with excitement, to see a world renown director for his work on the Holocaust get excited like the old Nazi talking about the War, that is surreal.

Zhao Long I have never seen any film made by those five directors, and right now I really want to dive into their films especially the ones made after the war.The documentary shocked me with the cruelty of war and the terrible aftermath and moved me with the engagement of the directors.

jamison0601 I am an AVID WW2 history buff. I've watched countless documentaries on the subject over the years, but this one is truly breathtaking. Told from such a different perspective than I've ever seen before. What starts out at first glance as a film about filmmaking, it becomes SO much more. Delving into how the war had deep and profound effects on the 5 directors. Absolutely riveting, heartfelt, heart-wrenching and utterly breathtaking. Loved it.Hopefully Spielberg will now concentrate on "The Mighty Eighth"!