" NOW IT CAN BE SHOWN!" AFTERMATH OF JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR DECLASSIFIED FOOTAGE 23582

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Narrated by Lowell Thomas, this WWII propaganda newsreel purports to show previously classified footage of the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, including shots of the crippled USS Arizona. It also shows the salvage of the battleship West Virginia in Pearl Harbor. The battleship USS California, as well as USS Nevada, USS Maryland, USS Oklahoma and mine layer USS Oglala is also shown, as well as wreckage of sea planes and aircraft on Ford Island. The film also features and celebrates Al Brick, the veteran Movietone Newsreel cameraman who was at sea with the Pacific Fleet in 1940-41, and who filmed the Japanese attack. It was by all rights got the "scoop of the war" for the American press.

Fox Movietone News released this single-subject newsreel on December 7th, 1942 to celebrate the work of Brick and show the full extent of Japanese treachery to an already engaged and outraged American public. The film was then quickly mass-produced by the U.S. Government and shown far and wide for propaganda purposes as part of the Army-Navy Newsmagazine of the Screen. A short time later "Life" magazine printed frame enlargements from Brick's film as part of its anniversary article on the subject. The film ends with footage of the U.S. fleet attacking the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. Much of the footage shown in this film was utilized in WWII American propaganda films including John Ford's famous "December 7th" which featured almost every shot seen in the film prior to the 5 minute mark.

00:00: The film introduces cameraman Al Brick, who was present during the Pearl Harbor attack. He documented the aftermath of the surprise attack by Japanese forces during peace negotiations. Ships and planes were caught off guard as the Japanese launched their surprise assault.0:45-1:43: The attack on Pearl Harbor began with Japanese bombers and torpedo planes. The USS Arizona was hit and exploded after a bomb struck its forward magazine. Other battleships, including the Tennessee, West Virginia, and Oklahoma, were damaged, with some sinking or catching fire.1:44-3:30: The film shows more destruction as various battleships and destroyers were hit, and 86 ships were damaged. The attack destroyed 80 Navy planes and 97 Army planes, crippling air defenses, contributing to the surprise nature of the attack.3:32-4:12: The film highlights the response to the damage, with quick repair efforts and replacements of damaged planes. Despite the devastation, the work to rebuild Pearl Harbor began, including efforts to repair battleships like the USS West Virginia and the USS Tennessee.4:42-5:14: The repair and salvage efforts of battleships, including the West Virginia and the USS Nevada, are shown. Many ships were rehabilitated and returned to battle. The West Virginia is raised from the bottom, and other ships like the California were refloated and repaired, symbolizing the resilience and recovery of the U.S. Navy.5:24-6:05: The repairs continued with the reconditioning of battleships such as the West Virginia and the California. Technicians installed modern improvements, making the ships more effective than before. The ships returned to battle, showing the United States' strength and determination.6:27-7:18: The repaired ships, including the Nevada and California, rejoined the fleet. The U.S. Navy, one year after Pearl Harbor, was stronger than ever, having launched new ships and achieving victories in battles like Coral Sea and Midway, avenging the attack.7:52-8:03: The film concludes with a reflection from cameraman Al Brick, expressing a sense of homecoming but emphasizing the desire to defeat Japan completely.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com