War and Peace

During the Second World War, NFB documentaries informed and inspired Canadians and audiences around the world. These documentaries offer a unique vantage point on the wartime experience at home and on the front.

Excerpts

Break-through

The Gates of Italy

Heroes of the Atlantic

Inside Fighting Canada

Proudly She Marches

The War for Men's Minds

Teachers

Break-through

1944, Director: James Beveridge

1 min 30 s

Questions

Help Preferences Fullscreen

Questions 1. This film documents a turning point in the war: the landing at Normandy. It is different from the other NFB World War II documentaries in this collection because it reports a specific event, as a newsreel would. Do you notice differences in the way information is presented, compared to Inside Fighting Canada, for instance?

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About This Film

Synopsis/Credits

Allied troops land on the Normandy coast and drive eastward to the gates of Germany. Opening scenes are of the D-Day landings and establishment of Canadian forces on the beachhead. Pictures of bitter street fighting and of pin-point bombing tell the story of Caen's capture and the advance towards Falaise. Made from footage filmed by units of the Canadian Army Overseas.
Running Time: 11 min 00 s

Producer James Beveridge

Editor James Beveridge

Voice and Narration Lorne Greene

Producers National Film Board of Canada