George Marshall and the American Century

Distributed by Janson Media, 88 Semmons Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640; 201-784-8488Produced by Daniel B. Polin & Kenneth MandelDirected by Kenneth Mandel and Ken Levis1994; DVD release 2006, DVD, color and b&, 88 min. George Marshall (1880-1959) will forever be recognized in American and World History as the creator of the European Recovery Plan after World War II; the Marshall Plan, as it is more widely known, was the basis for his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953, the first professional soldier to be given that award. Overshadowed by these events are numerous details of the life of a man who was undoubtedly one of the greatest American statesmen of the 20th century. Marshall’s early career is indicative of the American military climate in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, of a peacetime army of a nation with strong isolationist tendencies. As this biographical documentary so aptly traces, it was Marshall’s role in military planning and strategy in World War I and World War II which demonstrated not only a gift for the creation of a modern military force from virtually nothing, but an ability to do so in contentious political climates – skills which ultimately led to his success. The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army in World War II, Marshall also served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense under President Truman. The film, which masterfully interweaves archival film footage with interviews of Marshall’s contemporaries, draws the viewer not only into Marshall’s life and career, but into the world climate in which he lived, and how he conducted himself in that climate. Recollections by General Matthew Ridgway, and Forrest Pogue, Marshall’s official biographer, among others, and archival footage of Truman’s own views of Marshall indicate a modest yet confident man respected by his peers. George Marshall and the American Century is highly recommended for the insightful way in which it presents the life of Marshall, enlightening the audience to a historical legacy far beyond the recovery plan which bears his name. Awards: Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Programming from The National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences. CINE Golden Eagle from the Council on International Nontheatrical Events, Washington, D.C. Silver Apple from the National Educational Film & Video Festival, Oakland, California Silver Award from Worldfest, Houston, Texas Red Ribbon from the American Film & Video Association, Chicago, Illinois The Chris Statuette from the Film Council of Greater Columbus