Alex Schreiner's Sahara and World War II
Sahara definitely fit the bill for a WW2 era propaganda film, presenting all the aspects intended by the Office of War Information that were outlined by Gerstle. It portrayed the iconic American hero, played by Bogart, taking charge and saving the day. It portrayed bravery and sacrifice, with the unusual crew risking and sometimes losing their lives to advance the greater good. They acted together with members from all the Allied nations to put their duty to their cause and countries above their own life. It also showed the humanity of the American GI, because they risked their own water and rations just to save an enemy from an agonizing death. The film also showed audiences what all were fighting for, as various soldiers displayed pictures and recounted stories of the loved ones back home. The Nazi enemy was portrayed as coldhearted and demonized, with a prisoner going so far as to literally stab his ally in the back to escape. It does not address the civilian side of responsibility and the roles at home directly, but the Frenchman’s account of his civilian life at home does emphasize once again what the troops are fighting for. This is definitely a pro-American film, as Bogart explains that the troop captured victory because “American’s are stronger,” and they “have that extra something” that the Nazi enemy lacks.
This film showed the human depravity that people are capable of that is displayed by the Nazi, but it also emphasizes the courage that it evokes, demonstrated by the soldiers turned heroes when the hard decisions and sacrifices need to be made. It showed that sometimes an individual’s death is not in vain if they lived and die to advance the “good fight,” as this ragtag group did. The film did incorporate the aspect of racism, but it was only displayed by the Nazi enemy. The Allies seemed ready to accept the Sudanese soldier as one of their own, but as Gerstle pointed out, the OWI was careful not to force Americans to address the issue of racial equality in their own forces. The Sudanese soldier even sacrificed himself for the good of the crew, which serves to provide African Americans at home with aspirations of heroism without granting them equality in their ranks. The absence of women in this film is inconsequential, because the war did not include women on the front and definitely not in the ranks. Overall, this film would have served as an ideal propaganda film to accomplish the intended messages the government wished the public to receive.