The Weimar Republic, 1918-1933: Germany after World War I
World War II, Conflict in the Pacific, Part 1: 1937-1942
World War II, Conflict in the Pacific, Part 2: 1942-1952 2003
Distributed by Lucerne Media, 37 Ground Pine Rd., Morris Plains, NJ 07950; 800-341-2293
Produced by Classroom Video
Director n/a
VHS, color and b&, 25 min. each
Sr. High - Adult
World War II, European Studies, History
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Michael Fein, Coordinator of Library Services, Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VAThese three productions, all from the same producer and distributor, are something of a mixed bag. All three have a narrator and utilize period film footage, photographs, as well as maps and other visual media depict the subject matter. The Weimar Republic: 1918-1933 appears to be an English translation of a German production and is technically very good. Picture and sound were quite well done. The drawback is that the content is hard to follow. Only someone with an acquaintance with German history would have an understanding of the video. World War II, Conflict in the Pacific is an Australian production, which begins with the so-called China Bridge Incident of 1937 and concludes with the end of the U.S. occupation in 1952. It does have an Australian slant to it. Cramming fifteen years of international conflict and strife into fifty-three minutes is something of a task and this production does a fair job. Major campaigns are highlighted as well as key people and events in this period. Still this pair of videos should only be used as a starting point for discussion. This lack of in-depth content is somewhat alleviated by the enclosed teacher’s notes. Each has questions, terms, etc. The notes for The Weimar Republic also have a listing of websites.
In summation, The Weimar Republic is NOT recommended unless the instructor has nothing else available and just must use an A-V resource. Conflict in the Pacific is recommended, but should be used as a supplementary resource.