This Is Your Army
Cast & Crew
John J. Gordon
Joe King
Phil Tonken
Capt. James Altieri
Capt. James Altieri
Maj. Robert T. Blauvelt
Film Details
Synopsis
This film presents an inside look at U.S. Army basic training by following recruits from the moment they arrive at their assigned Army installation. After learning their training maneuvers, the recruits are sent all over the world to execute their skills. All branches of the Army are seen in action, including parachute, anti-aircraft, radar and guided missile training. Among the highlights are the scenes of advanced unit training that prepares the recruits to fight in all types of terrains and situations. Some of the situations shown are scenes of jungle fighting, amphibious assaults and an air drop by the 82d Airborne Division. In addition to showing the human element of the Army, the film also details several new weapons such as the Nike guided missile and a test of the U.S. Army cannon that fired the first atomic shell. The film also travels to locations in Germany, Turkey, Greece, Italy and the Far East to illustrate the importance the Army plays in NATO.
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The opening credits, as reproduced on a production sheet contained in the film's file at the AMPAS Library, read: "The United States Army presents This Is Your Army Produced in color under the supervision of The United States Army." According to the June 1954 Hollywood Reporter review, the film, which was the brainchild of former Secretary of the Army Frank Pace, was originally produced as a training film for U.S. Army troops. According to press materials, the film took over two years to produce and was photographed by seven cameraman who traveled to Army camps in the United States, as well as major bases in Japan, Korea, Formosa, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Australia, France and Germany. The 200,000 feet of exposed film was then cut and assembled by five film editors.
The training film ran, according to various sources, either 72 or 78 minutes, which was deemed too lengthy for commercial release. When the Pentagon decided it wanted to release the film commercially, it agreed to cut it to 55 minutes for theatrical distribution. Although a June 1954 Hollywood Reporter news item stated that two different versions of the film would be released, one running 50 minutes for double-feature houses and one running 30 minutes for single bills, all the reviews listed the running time at 55 minutes.
The film was finally distributed by the Council of Motion Picture Organizations as a public service without charge. According to November 1954 Hollywood Reporter and Variety news items, the nine major companies that comprised COMPO were sharing distribution on a regional basis, at rentals sufficient only to cover print costs and incidental expenses. Fifteen percent of any money left over would go to the U.S. Treasury and eighty-five percent to the Army Relief Fund. The film's world premiere at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles was attended by military and civic dignitaries. According to a March 6, 1956 Hollywood Reporter news item, the film had recouped all its "editing, printing and out-of-pocket distribution" costs by that date.
