World at War :: The Big Picture Film Series

The Big Picture documentary Nike-Zeus & Pershing Missiles explores some exciting developments in the nations defense arsenal. The first is the Nike-Zeus missile - designed to intercept and destroy ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missiles) before the reach their target. The documentary explores the early development and testing of this amazing missile system. The second part explores the powerful Pershing surface to surface ballistic missile.

The Big Picture documentary Operation Mercy is a close look at the human side of the Army as it helps freedom fighters reach safety in the United States. The action relates to the street fighting in Budapest with the Hungarian Freedom Fighters in their battle with the might of Russia. It then details the Army mission of evacuating the fighters to safety and explores their mission bringing these brave freedom fighters from Hungary to Camp Kilmer and the United States. It is a good demonstration of the Army working with humanitarian organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Embassy operations overseas.

The Big Picture documentary Pentomic 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagle" Division follows this storied group of men from their early organization and training during WWII through combat tours in Europe up to the Reorganization Day Ceremonies held in 1956 when this Division was selected to become the Army's first nuclear equipped long range fighting force. Additionally, you will be treated to a special selection of music conducted by Captain Samuel Louoda of the United States Army Band including the "101st Airborne March" and "'Screaming Eagles' March." The chorus of male voices is from the Official United States Army Chorus.

The Big Picture documentary Pentomic 7th Army is an engaging look at the activities of the Seventh Army in Europe. Their goal - protect the free world from aggression by being the bulwark of the NATO defense of Western Europe. This documentary follows the activities of the 7th and includes scenes related to border security in West Germany, a war enactment and even a Corporal missile site being erected. Through all the scenes, you will see the men and the equipment they use to protect freedom. That is the Pentomic Seventh Army: a symbol of America's military strength overseas, prepared to meet any threat from a limited war to an all out nuclear attack.

The Big Picture documentary Pentomic Army is the story of the Army streamlining, making it more lean and functional with a simpler organization aimed at taking advantage of the vast array of new technologies that explored during and after WWII. The restructuring includes the concept of the Pentomic Division - five battle groups that are a semi autonomous fighting force designed to operate effectively on an atomic battlefield. This documentary explores how this smaller force of men utilizes modern technology to deliver more devastating firepower than any would be aggressor, no matter the size of their fighting force.

The Big Picture documentary Pershing Joins The Ranks explores the U.S. Army's addition of the Pershing missile to its arsenal of long range attack systems. The documentary follows the testing of this long range ballistic missile system highlighting both technical and human obstacles that had to be overcome to make the Pershing Missile weapon system a success.

Ranger Ready is explored in this episode of The Big Picture. This episode explores the training to goes into making a soldier Ranger Ready. It takes place in the mountains of North Georgia and the swamps of Florida. This elite corps of combat troops undergoes some of the most rugged training of any elite military force. And they have a long and storied history. The very first ranger unit dates back to George Washington's colonial troops, were very active in Europe and the Pacific during World War II and again in Korea. As you watch this episode, you will learn about the hugely challenging training that these men perform to get them ready to handle the toughest battlefield challenges.

The Big Picture documentary Seventh Army: Checkmate to Aggression explores the operations and personnel who work at the 7th Army in Germany and shows the challenges they deal with on an every day basis. You will see the operation of border patrols along the defensive line of Western Europe, the 7th Army command center, skydiving teams and much more. This is a fascinating look at how the Army operates during times of peace in potentially explosive regions of the world.

The Big Picture documentary Silent Warriors explores the Army's Special Forces, specifically the men of the 19th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. You will see their intense training regimen including judo, demolitions, communications, tackling rough terrain, parachuting, etc. It also delves into their weapons training - including the silent hunting bow to be used when silence is critical in missions.

The Big Picture documentary Skydivers takes a look at the adventures of the members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team as they demonstrate their jump techniques that they demonstrate at events all over the world. To let you get a detailed look at them, they use helmet cameras - a marvel of technology when this film was recorded. The documentary is a great tribute to these brave soldiers and an excellent look at vintage skydiving techniques.

The Big Picture documentary Special Forces Advisor follows the training and deployment of Army Captain Paul Wineman, a special forces advisor working with Iranians. It details how he is drilled in the military and language skills necessary to work with the Iranians to help them accomplish a special military task. You will get a glimpse into the Fort Bragg Special Warfare School in North Carolina, the Army Language School in Monterrey, California and on to the mission in Iran where Wineman is shown working with Iranian paratroopers getting ready to jump. This film is a good illustration of how the U.S. military prepares troops to be embedded in other armies units to achieve successful joint military outcomes.

The Big Picture documentary Special Forces is a look at these elite soldiers. Host narrated by Henry Fonda, you will get a rare glimpse of the demanding training regiment practiced by the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. You will also see rare footage of an exciting Special Forces training mission in the Bavarian Alps.

The Big Picture documentary Stay Alert, Stay Alive is a detailed look at the strenuous six day, eighty hour training period replacement soldiers received in Vietnam to get them ready for combat. This training was a supplement to their stateside training and it focused on the unique conditions they would experience in Vietnam while fighting the Vietnamese war. This training includes how to work within the climate and terrain conditions that the soldiers would experience as well as specific fighting techniques used by the Vietnamese against the U.S. Army troops.

This Big Picture documentary explores the famous Fourth Infantry Division and its proud military history through two World Wars and its evolution into a major element of the Strategic Army Corps. This historical documentary follows the Famous Fourth through its World War One exploits and continues by showing its important role in World War Two as it fought its way across the continent of Europe. With the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after World War Two, the Fourth Division assumed a major share in the responsibility of maintaining the peace and security of the free world. The film ends with a visual analysis of STRAC Fourth's present strength and vital purpose: to be ready to preserve the peace anywhere at any time.

This Big Picture episode explores the crucial role of the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea - delving into the Cavalry's rich history and how it morphed into a powerful mechanized force. It shows how these men - called troopers - still fight with honor and bravery, just like their forebears who fought against the Indians of the west on horseback. Filled with fascinating scenes of their mechanized transport, see the 1st Infantry in action during the Korean war.

This Big Picture episode explores the crucial role of the 24th Infantry Division in Korea. It explores its early roots in the old Hawaiian Division from shortly before Pearl Harbor to its many battles in the Southwest Pacific. After serving occupation duty in Japan, the 24th was the first of the Americans to reach the Korean war region. This Big Picture film explores the role of the 24th Infantry Division from its first landing in Korea until November 24 - when it finally left the war zone.

This Big Picture episode explores the crucial role of the 25th Infantry Division in Korea. The documentary begins on June 25, 1950, when the division was still in Japan. Through the eyes of a combat cameramen of the Army Signal Corps, the history of the "Tropic Lightening" Division in Korea is told. The film follows the battle from a perimeter defense in the north near Sangju, through a dramatic shift under cover of darkness of 150 miles south to meet the Pusan-bent enemy, and back up the Korean Peninsula. Then, it looks at Operation "Mop-Up."It also shows the division on the outskirts of Seoul in January, 1951, as U.N. troops retired from the city. Additional events are covered until finally, in May, 1953, the division's last major battle in Korea.

The 29th Infantry Division Big Picture documentary delivers a fascinating pictorial history of the infantrymen of the 29th Infantry Division. This documentary demonstrates amphibious maneuvers in England and covers the conflicts at St. Lo and Brest and their activities at the beach at Normandy.

This film explores the 3rd Infantry Division. It explores the missions and the training that makes this mechanized infantry division a top fighting force, earning the nickname the "Rock of The Marne." The film looks at their missions in both World Wars, the Korean war and its mission in Western Europe after their service in the Korean war.

This film explores the 42nd Artillery Group and its weapons in Germany. You will see the "Corporal" guided missile and the 280 mm cannon in action. It also takes a glimpse at the specialized training these men receive to work with this big guns and how they are deployed to support ground troops in any battle scenario where withering fire power is needed to win the day.