clive's - Rented List

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In 1940 soldiers newly drafted into the military lacked enthusiasm for the war. Morale was at an all-time low and the American war effort was at risk of falling to indifference. Fortunately, in 1942, Major Frank Capra answered the call.

He created a series of documentary style, informative films with the aim of explaining to the troops why they were putting their lives on the line and for what principles they were fighting. These popular propaganda films were viewed in many arenas in order to bolster the war effort and raise public opinion. They were screened in war plants, factories, hometowns and foreign movie theaters. Most importantly, they helped shape the public's awareness of the dangerous fascist movement that was threatening freedom and liberty the world over, giving everyone a boost of patriotism and the commitment to fight.

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Originally made in 1945 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight', 'Know Your Enemy - Japan' was designed to fully inform the American soldier of the characteristics of his foe, the Japanese soldier.

To do this, Capra gave a history of the Japanese people and their customs and the importance of Emperor Hirohito to their everyday lives.

Originally made in 1943 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight', 'Divide and Conquer' looks at the Germany war machine and its Blitzkrieg tactics that managed to subjugate almost the whole of Europe.

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Originally made in 1945 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight, War Comes To America' is a historical and sociological look at the events unfurling in Europe and the reaction in America.

The German invasion of Poland, which drew Britain and France into the conflict, along with the later Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour marked a turning point in American attitude.

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Originally made in 1942 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight', 'Prelude To War' examines the changing world situation between 1931 and 1939, plotting the rise of dictatorships in Italy, Germany and Japan whilst America pursued an isolationist and anti-militaristic stance.

With the subsequent Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour, the American soldier needed to be taught 'why we fight'.

Originally made in 1945 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight', 'Nazi Strike' examines the rise of the Nazis in Germany in the 1930s and their subsequent expansionist plans that led to the outbreak of the Second World War.

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"Swastika" is the most controversial documentary about Hitler and the Nazi's ever made. Using propaganda footage and colour home movies made by Hitler's fiancee Eva Braun, 'Swastika' portrays the human side of Adolf Hitler.

That a man can orchestrate the Holocaust and yet still enjoy passing the time on a sun lounger makes Hitler more real, and more chilling. Told exclusively through archive footage 'Swastika' leaves you to draw your own conclusions.

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To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revoltion in October 1917, this programme, made for Russian TV, examines the life of Vladimir Lenin - founding father of the Russian Revolution and Communism, philosopher and revolutionary and the best known figure in Russian history.

Yet most of what we know about Lenin is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. This full length documentary begins to uncover the personal history of Lenin and the critical role he played in the Russian revolution.

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Originally made in 1945 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight', 'Battle Of China' focuses on one of the forgotten theatres of the second World War, China. The Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 gave the world a first hand taste of modern warfare.

The Japanese atrocities in every territory they overran firmed the resolve of the 'free world' to fight back.

Originally made in 1945 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why we Fight', The Battle Of Russia examines the various invasions suffered the Russians over the centuries, culminating in the 1941 invasion by 2 million Germans. Here the German blitzkrieg tactics finally met their match.

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Dating from 1927 Esfir Shub's 'The Fall of the Romanov Dynasty' documentary uses archive footage from the Romanov tercentenary in 1913 to the Bolshevik takeover four years on. Here truth really is fashioned into myth.

The musical score consists of a medley of Russian favourites, pounded out on an electric piano, making for a rather limited, though not inappropriate, soundtrack.

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In the winter of 1939 - 40, tiny Finland held back the might of the Soviet army which stormed Finland's borders with massive tank and artillery firepower, a large air force and well armed infantry.

The war continued relentlessly for 105 days, in extreme conditions, through an exceptionally cold and hostile winter. Against all the odds the Finns held strong and this historic battle has come to be known as the Finnish Miracle.

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For decades the Cold War prevented the world from truly understanding the events that unfolded between the Russians and Germans on the Eastern Front during WWII.

Far more than a struggle between nations, it pitted tyrant against tyrant and evil ideology against evil ideology as the lives of tens of millions were consumed by the conflict. One in 10 Russians died. One in four Poles died. And whole divisions of Italians, Romanians and Hungarians disappeared without a trace. On average, 17,800 people died every single day - and the war on the Russian/German front lasted for 1,400 days. First broadcast on Canadian television in 1995, this series featured German and Russian film footage that has never before been seen outside those countries. Narrated by Douglas Rain (the voice of HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey) with a powerful script, this documentary offers a rare look at one of the darkest horror stories in the history of warfare. The sweeping musical score composeu by Rick Hyslop (The Passion of the Christ) only adds to the drama, and captures every nuance of the tragedy.

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This is the story of Gordon Welchman, the forgotten genius of Bletchley Park, the codebreaker who hacked Hitler. Gordon Welchman was one of the original elite codebreakers of Bletchley Park.

Without him, the German Enigma codes might not have been broken, and World War Two could have lasted two more years. His contribution was as great as Alan Turing's and he should be just as famous, yet very few have heard of him. But for a forgotten man, his secret legacy is everywhere - from Whistleblower Edward Snowden's revelations about the NSA, to the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and now Islamic State. Discover his story told through recently released interviews from co-workers and letters from "The Forgotten Genius of Bletchley Park" himself.

Originally made in 1944 as part of the acclaimed Frank Capra series 'Why We Fight, Tunisian Victory takes a historical look at the execution and planning of Operation Acrobat, an Allied operation that paved the way for the subsequent defeat of Germany in North Africa.