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New Netflix documentary explores the role of filmmaking in World War II
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Mar 30, 2017
Listen 9:27
New Netflix documentary explores the role of filmmaking in World War II
Five Came Back is based on the book by writer and film historian Mark Harris.
10th March 1966:  American film director John Huston in London.  (Photo by Fred Mott/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
10th March 1966: American film director John Huston in London.
(
Fred Mott/Getty Images
)

Five Came Back is based on the book by writer and film historian Mark Harris.

"Five Came Back" is based on the book  by writer and film historian Mark Harris.

The documentary paints the story of five directors who enlisted in World War II to make propaganda films for the U.S. Government.  Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston, George Stevens and William Wyler pooled together their filmmaking talents and put a brake on their Hollywood careers.  Five Came Back features commentary from directors such as Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, and Guillermo del Toro and explores how their predecessors influenced civilian life during a time of war.

Host Larry Mantle sits down with Mark Harris to talk about the delicate  link between propaganda and trauma.

Watch the trailer: 

Guest:

Mark Harris, writer and film historian, whose book, “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War” (Penguin, 2014) inspired the new Netflix docuseries. The series begins streaming on Netflix on March 31; he tweets

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, Morning Edition, AirTalk Friday, The L.A. Report A.M. Edition
Senior Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Associate Producer, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek