War Comes to America (1945) Director: Frank Capra, Anatole Litvak Studio: U.S. War Department / Office of War Information Starring: Walter Huston (narrator), with archival footage and real historical figures Release Date: 1945 Runtime: 64 minutes Format: Black-and-white, documentary Country: United States Language: English Genres: Documentary | Propaganda | War Summary: War Comes to America is the seventh and final entry in the acclaimed Why We Fight documentary series. Narrated by Walter Huston, the film traces U.S. history from colonial times through the Great Depression and into the late 1930s, culminating in the events that led America into World War II. Using animation, maps, and archival footage, the film explains the rise of fascism abroad and the attack on Pearl Harbor, framing U.S. involvement in the war as both necessary and inevitable. Background: Commissioned by the U.S. government and directed by Frank Capra with assistance from Anatole Litvak, War Comes to America was intended to educate both military personnel and the general public about the justifications for America’s entry into World War II. Released in 1945, it was part of the broader effort to rally support for the war and instill patriotism. The Why We Fight series remains one of the most influential sets of propaganda films in U.S. history, blending Hollywood storytelling techniques with documentary realism. Trivia: Narrator Walter Huston was a respected Hollywood actor and father of director John Huston. The film won praise for its use of animation and montage to simplify complex global politics. Unlike earlier entries, this installment focused heavily on American history to show how democracy was threatened by fascism. The Why We Fight series is preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural and historical importance. All films in the series, including this one, are now in the public domain. Hashtags: #WarComesToAmerica #WhyWeFight #FrankCapra #WWIIDocumentary #PropagandaFilm #WalterHuston #PublicDomainFilm