Warfilms: An Overview of Motion Pictures Within Military Record Groups Held in the U.S. National Archives

MWSA Review

WARFILMS is a reference book that would aid a researcher in finding by year, subject, and  service branch films produced for training and historical reference for all to see. 

From basically the start of the 20^th century to present, our armed services have produced films to educate and further the historical understanding of what has transpired over time in the US Armed Forces.

With this vast array of old and new footage one can get lost in a myriad of film which for most of us is out of sight and out of mind.  In studying such footage historians learn of what has transpired.  In fact much of the footage has come to good use in programs produced on the History Channel and the Military History Channel.  Some of the footage winds up in current Cinematic renderings and TV specials.

The quality of much of this footage is well kept and maintained by the Special Media Services Division located at Archives II in College Park, Maryland.  The rest are housed in the National Archives’ Presidential Libraries located around the country.

Mr. Stewart provides us with a general reference as an overview of Motions Picture within Military Record Groups held in the U.S. National Archives.

Reviewed by: Richard Geschke (2015)

Author's Summary

"WARFILMS: An Overview of Motion Pictures Within Military Record Groups Held in the U.S. National Archives" is a synopsis of the 119,000-plus reels of historic motion picture film produced, acquired, or captured by twentieth century American armed forces that are located within the 35 military Record Groups at the United States National Archives and Records Administration facility in College Park, Maryland. While WARFILMS does not try to list all military films in the National Archives, it does identify and describe over 350 of them for review. The goal is to pique the readers' interest so that they will explore the additional thousands of historic military titles on their own. Basic guidance is provided as how to do that.