Elizabeth Bassett
I find it absolutely fascinating how movies during World War II had specific meaning and purpose as well as theatrical value; movies today merely serve as entertainment. When thinking of the movie Sahara, it seemed to fit the propagandistic nature and fulfilled the six themes set by the government for Hollywood films at that time.
The first theme related to “The Issues of the War.� This was fulfilled in the movie as it portrayed the overriding fight for freedom by all parties. Looking at the picture of his sweetheart from home, one soldier brought forth the issue of freedom to love for which he so valiantly fought. Another soldier spoke of his wife and family which reflected the desire to maintain safety and freedom on the home front. With America rising as a world power, it also showed the strong leadership of the United States as the American soldiers led the rag-tag group through the dessert with the allies following their orders.
Next, the Nature of the enemy was taken into account as it portrayed the Germans to the American people. Portrayal of the Germans in this movie was propagandistic as it provided battle scenes against the Axis Powers. Showing the sly nature of the Germans at this time may have been another objective of the filmmakers as suggested when the German pilot refused to allow the allies to see that he understood and spoke English. Overall, this may have led Americans to further distrust of the German people. At the same time, it also revealed the Germans as bland, weak, and somewhat dimwitted as revealed when the German commander met Joe Gunn amongst the desert sands to discuss a possible pact between the two opposing armies.
Throughout World War II, the United States was not alone in its struggle with the Axis Powers. Of all the messages fed to the American people through this film, the sense of teamwork amongst the United Nations may have been the strongest. Not only were the British and French represented, but also the African people who may have been overlooked as allies with such high emphasis on the war in Europe at that time.
The Production Front was another government theme that was strongly portrayed in this movie. With the harsh Saharan climate, it was difficult for troops to not only receive the necessary supplies of food, water, and clothing, but also proper fighting materials such as tanks, guns, and ammunition. This movie could have been very effective in increasing awareness of the need for supplies in Africa and led to greater support by the American people and war material companies.
As this movie was only set in the actual war zone, it did not portray the homefront of the time. However, a few of the American soldiers talked about a sweetheart or family at home which reminded movie-goers of the continual need for support as the soldiers seemed to draw strength and happiness from looking at pictures of loved ones. One scene of the film includes Joe Gunn telling of his past experiences with the military and lack of a family which has brought him to his current position as a ranking officer. This scene serves to remind viewers of the need to not only support loved ones, but also the boys without families to call their own.
Fighting Forces was the last government theme of the era. Overall, Sahara portrayed Americans as superior in leadership and equipment to their allied forces. In one of the first scenes, the British troops join the Americans and commit to following the orders of Joe Gunn by relinquishing their canteens in the dry Saharan desert. At the same time, a strong brotherhood is felt amongst soldiers of the Allied Forces in this film as they fight side by side. This could have encouraged the American people to also support the Allies as they were in teamwork with husbands, sons, fathers, and sweethearts of those on the homefront.