Under Four Flags

original title:
Under Four Flags
country / year of production:
USA / 1918
original length:
120 min. , black/white
premiere:
17 November 1918
genre:
Documentary
based on:
director:
S. L. Rothafel
film script:
Kenneth C. Beaton
producer:
S. L. Rothafel
cinematographer:
editor:
composer:
cast (role):
more:
plot synopsis:
The film shows French refugees fleeing from the Germans, enemy submarine attacks, the victorious battle of Chateau Thierry, Marshall Haig on the British front, the battle of St. Mihiel, and the review of U.S. and French troops by General Pershing, as well as some quick shots of New Yorkers celebrating the war's end.
keywords:
escape , submarine
war:
First World War (1914-1918)
literature:
remarks:
The third documentary covering the war that was released by the Committee on Public Information.
As Armistice was declared while Kenneth C. Beaton was still assembling the film, it almost became useless as propaganda. However, to give it some value, quick shots of New Yorkers celebrating the war's end were inserted in the final reel, and the titles changed to make it a summary of the last days of the war and could be released only six days after the end of the war.
availability:
archive: