This 1918 U.S. Government war newsreel tries its best to give the viewer a complete picture of what it was like Over There in World War One. The usual battle scenes are interspersed with fascinating human interest stuff, such as recruits getting their teeth inspected, Salvation Army volunteers handing out doughnuts, doughboys getting their heads shaved, KP, slop buckets, trench digging, interrogating German prisoners, animal mascots, and yes, dead bodies (though shown only briefly and without a lot of blood). Many of the title cards have cartoon drawings of doughboys in various humorous situations

America Goes Over (Part II) - 15.40 mins

A totally different film then Part I. Part I was made by British Pathe, while this appears to be directly from the American Army itself. Film details the difficulties the Allies were having with 'The Enemy' ( and it's eagerness to have America join World War I. Men volunteer, and many more are drafted. In an interesting scene, the secretary of war is shown drawing the first number.. he's even got a blindfold on his head! We then show the process of preparing the men to go to war, and finally their trek to Europe.
Awesome battle scenes are shown here, with fire guns, heavy artillery, and something called a Y gun, which looks really scary, and even scarier when people are just hanging around as it goes off. Amazing scenes of past president Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt seeing the troops off to war as well. Just an incredible film, and very worthwhile to see.

America Goes Over (Part III) - 15.30 mins

Continuing from Part II, the Allies slowly make their way on the enemy. This part shows us a combination of battle scenes, mixed in with routine, but neccessary tasks soldiers, as well as civilians must go through during war. Scenes of war kitchens, barbers, first aid and strategists are shown. On the front, the amazing battle coverage continues with plane dog fights, with shots of it's aftermath, more heavy artillery, and a good reason why Zeppelins were'nt used much during the war.

America Goes Over (Part IV) - 17:40 minutes

This excellent film ends with the retreating of the enemy still further, with much battle coverage. More dog fights are seen, and more heay artillery. What's interesting is that along with the Allied victories, the film never shies away with the observation that with victory, it sometimes comes with a price. Scenes of death on the warfield are shown throughout Parts 2-5, but none too gruesome.

All in all, these series of films are crucial of observation of the history of war, and present a well balanced overview of the first big war, World War I.

--o--