Why We Fight: Prelude to War
Released
May 27, 1942
Runtime: 53m
EnglishDocumentaryWar
Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.
Loading where to watch…
Cast & Crew
Walter Huston
Self - Narrator (voice)
Max Schmeling
Self - German paratrooper (archive footage)
Adolf Hitler
Self
Frank Capra
Director
Anatole Litvak
Director
Media
You Might Also Like
2000 Meters to Andriivka
Jul 23, 2025
The Bloody Hundredth
Mar 14, 2024
WWII From Space
Dec 7, 2012
The Class of ‘92
Dec 1, 2013
The Captains
Jul 22, 2011
180° South
Feb 10, 2010
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition
May 7, 2026
John Candy: I Like Me
Sep 4, 2025
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye
Feb 9, 2022
Five Broken Cameras
Nov 23, 2011
Seduced and Abandoned
May 20, 2013
Love, Marilyn
May 30, 2013
That's Entertainment!
Jun 21, 1974
Looking for Richard
Oct 11, 1996