To paraphrase Orwell, Oceania was allied with Eurasia, Oceania always had been allied with Eurasia.
So it was in 1942, when the United States found itself allied to the Soviet Union, which as recently as the previous year had been a virtual ally of Nazi Germany.
Time to present a positive image of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics. "People of Russia" demonstrates that Hollywood was more than up to the task.
Most of the film's footage is borrowed from a 1932 James Fitzpatrick Travel Talk. The conclusion is from a 1940 parade, probably May Day.
"A fully liberated people" Fitzpatrick informs us, march by the tomb of Vladimir Lenin "Who passed his miraculous power to another giant among men who shares, with the people of Russia, the respect and admiration of the civilized world - Joseph Stalin!"
Such a narration might well have been written in Moscow. Actually it was penned at MGM, the most conservative of the major studios.
All the film factories fell in line and churned out similar propaganda until 1945. Then, as it always does, the world turned and soon . . .
Oceania was at war with Eurasia. Oceania always had been at war with Eurasia.
So it was in 1942, when the United States found itself allied to the Soviet Union, which as recently as the previous year had been a virtual ally of Nazi Germany.
Time to present a positive image of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republics. "People of Russia" demonstrates that Hollywood was more than up to the task.
Most of the film's footage is borrowed from a 1932 James Fitzpatrick Travel Talk. The conclusion is from a 1940 parade, probably May Day.
"A fully liberated people" Fitzpatrick informs us, march by the tomb of Vladimir Lenin "Who passed his miraculous power to another giant among men who shares, with the people of Russia, the respect and admiration of the civilized world - Joseph Stalin!"
Such a narration might well have been written in Moscow. Actually it was penned at MGM, the most conservative of the major studios.
All the film factories fell in line and churned out similar propaganda until 1945. Then, as it always does, the world turned and soon . . .
Oceania was at war with Eurasia. Oceania always had been at war with Eurasia.