The War Veteran In Film PDF Download

Films depicting World War I and its aftermath began production almost as soon as the war began, although it would be roughly a decade before these films became more prevalent and popular. Many of these films were important in helping the public navigate the aftermath of the conflict and reflected the changing society of the 1920s and early 1930s. Studying these films can help provide a better understanding of the culture in the United States that emerged during the Interwar period and how society reacted to these changes.Of particular importance are the films depicting the experience of the solider upon returning home. Following World War I, veterans across the United States and Europe experienced issues with readjustment to civilian life, struggled with shell shock, and faced unemployment. These issues were reflected in the films featuring the life of the veteran. Veterans were used by society to re-write the war. In many of the films released after World War I, and particularly those from the pre-Code era of 1930-1934, the failures of the war were cast onto the body of the veteran, rather than using him to glorify the war effort and present his service in a heroic fashion. These characters became martyrs of a failed cause and lost hope. This dissertation explores some of the key World War I veteran films of the pre-Code era and how the veteran is used to cope with the changing post-War world. During this period, the United States saw drastic cultural changes including womens suffrage, modernization of the workplace, and the Great Depression. By examining the roles played by World War I veterans, an understanding can be developed of both how cinema helped to mediate the changing world and how veterans helped with this.