When taking in the context that this is a propaganda film made about Japan during World War 2 with the goal of making viewers side with the USA and support their military actions against Japan, this documentary is quite interesting. In the beginning, the narrator mocks the Japanese army by calling them short and tiny men. The film states many completely made up and bonkers "facts" about Japan. The narrator goes into talking about Shintoism and he ends up telling his audience that they want to wipe out everyone who is not Japanese. It's easy to see why there were second thoughts about releasing this film. If you want to see an example of a very harsh propaganda film, then I recommend that you check this out. If you want to learn a bunch of true facts about Japan, then this documentary is not the right one for you. It is quite hard to imagine anyone taking the narrator seriously, even in the 1940s.
10 Reviews
Creative propaganda
mdonath27 October 2000
Frank Capra has mentioned that he considers his army propaganda films as among his most important work. No doubt he was speaking more about their purpose than their content. Nonetheless, "Know Your Enemy: Japan" has some very compelling scenes. This work has many, effective fast contrasting cuts. In one of the best, Japanese war atrocities, such as graphic shots of dead babies, is alternated with euphoric Japanese soldiers at a rally. This is an extremely effective propaganda piece, perhaps the best of the many Capra did for the US Army.
Interesting, despite the obvious propaganda.
grantss13 June 2018
An American propaganda film made during World War 2, during the height of the conflict with Japan. Shows Japan's history, culture, people, politics industry and military weapons and tactics, and how Japan came to be at war with the US.
Interesting. No pretence of being a 'documentary' film this is clearly a propaganda film - the anti-Japanese sentiment is laid on quite thick at times. Can be quite slanderous at times, and viewed in modern times and without the benefit of context, could even be viewed as racist.
Yet the context is important. The US had a war to win and the best way to keep your soldiers and civilians motivated is to paint the enemy as evil monsters of the highest order.
Not that it's all fabricated - far from it, most of the atrocities the Japanese are accused of are true.
It's not all anti-Japanese sentiment though. There are some interesting passages covering Japan's history and this is fairly neutral in its tone. Therein lies the skill of the director (the great Frank Capra, no less) - mixed in with genuine history is pure propaganda, and it's sometimes difficult to tell the two apart.
Interesting. No pretence of being a 'documentary' film this is clearly a propaganda film - the anti-Japanese sentiment is laid on quite thick at times. Can be quite slanderous at times, and viewed in modern times and without the benefit of context, could even be viewed as racist.
Yet the context is important. The US had a war to win and the best way to keep your soldiers and civilians motivated is to paint the enemy as evil monsters of the highest order.
Not that it's all fabricated - far from it, most of the atrocities the Japanese are accused of are true.
It's not all anti-Japanese sentiment though. There are some interesting passages covering Japan's history and this is fairly neutral in its tone. Therein lies the skill of the director (the great Frank Capra, no less) - mixed in with genuine history is pure propaganda, and it's sometimes difficult to tell the two apart.
Skilful American propaganda film from World War II
frantic-26 February 1999
`Know your enemy Japan' is an American propaganda film from 1945. It was directed by Frank Capra on behalf of the US War Department. The film is made up of sequences from documentaries with narration and music. There are bits that clearly are re-constructions of passed events but are presented as though they are real news footage. Animated sequences exist. Walter Huston and Dana Andrews do the narration. The film is 60 minutes long. It was shown to allied soldiers serving in the Pacific region during World War II.
The purpose of the film was to inform the allied soldiers about the last enemy that remained in the war after the fall of Italy and Germany: Japan. The idea was that increased knowledge about the history and culture of Japan would create an understanding of the current situation that would cause a positive effect on the allied war effort. Every chance to condemn the Japanese and their ideologies are used in the course of the film. When watching this film, it is crucial to be aware of the state the world was in at the time or else one might draw inaccurate conclusions about the nature of the people who made it.
Early on, the film explains how the Japanese of today are a mixture of races that originally stem from the Ainu (described as "a hairy barbarian") with a touch of Mongolians and Malaysians. Their claims to be a pure race are put down and they become "a well-mixed plasma cocktail". The Japanese social classes and their development for 2000 years are summarised. The endless civil wars between local warlords are described as well as the Samurai system. The Samurai code, bushido, is referred to as "the Art of Treachery".
The film goes on in much the same way.
Frank Capra made films about Germany that were similar to this one. The attitude there is as hateful and uncompromising as in 'Know your enemy Japan'. It is fascinating to compare these works with other Capra creations from peacetime. Those films are often about ordinary people who love life (`You can't take it with you', 1938; 'Meet John Doe', 1941), people who fight for the right to live life their own way ('American madness', 1932; `Mr. Deeds goes to town', 1936) and good people who fight the establishment ('Mr. Smith goes to Washington', 1939; 'It's a wonderful life', 1946). The contempt for the Japanese individual in 'Know your enemy Japan' is so striking that it is hard to admit that it is made by the same man. The purpose of it all is obvious. Any thoughts of racism can be discarded by watching Capra's 'The Negro Soldier" from 1944, (this was also made for the US War Department) which is an attempt to ease the friction between the races within the American troops. That film is as loving as 'Know your enemy Japan' is cruel.
'Know your enemy Japan' is a very skilful propaganda film. Most of it is comprehensible, direct, informative, brutal and frightening but there are clever sections with fairly advanced symbolism. Frank Capra sticks to the truth but chooses to view the issue in such a way that the purpose of the film is fulfilled. Watching it half a century after it was made allows you to be amused by the style and techniques and be alarmed by the brutality; but the audience it was made for was no doubt very taken by it.
The purpose of the film was to inform the allied soldiers about the last enemy that remained in the war after the fall of Italy and Germany: Japan. The idea was that increased knowledge about the history and culture of Japan would create an understanding of the current situation that would cause a positive effect on the allied war effort. Every chance to condemn the Japanese and their ideologies are used in the course of the film. When watching this film, it is crucial to be aware of the state the world was in at the time or else one might draw inaccurate conclusions about the nature of the people who made it.
Early on, the film explains how the Japanese of today are a mixture of races that originally stem from the Ainu (described as "a hairy barbarian") with a touch of Mongolians and Malaysians. Their claims to be a pure race are put down and they become "a well-mixed plasma cocktail". The Japanese social classes and their development for 2000 years are summarised. The endless civil wars between local warlords are described as well as the Samurai system. The Samurai code, bushido, is referred to as "the Art of Treachery".
The film goes on in much the same way.
Frank Capra made films about Germany that were similar to this one. The attitude there is as hateful and uncompromising as in 'Know your enemy Japan'. It is fascinating to compare these works with other Capra creations from peacetime. Those films are often about ordinary people who love life (`You can't take it with you', 1938; 'Meet John Doe', 1941), people who fight for the right to live life their own way ('American madness', 1932; `Mr. Deeds goes to town', 1936) and good people who fight the establishment ('Mr. Smith goes to Washington', 1939; 'It's a wonderful life', 1946). The contempt for the Japanese individual in 'Know your enemy Japan' is so striking that it is hard to admit that it is made by the same man. The purpose of it all is obvious. Any thoughts of racism can be discarded by watching Capra's 'The Negro Soldier" from 1944, (this was also made for the US War Department) which is an attempt to ease the friction between the races within the American troops. That film is as loving as 'Know your enemy Japan' is cruel.
'Know your enemy Japan' is a very skilful propaganda film. Most of it is comprehensible, direct, informative, brutal and frightening but there are clever sections with fairly advanced symbolism. Frank Capra sticks to the truth but chooses to view the issue in such a way that the purpose of the film is fulfilled. Watching it half a century after it was made allows you to be amused by the style and techniques and be alarmed by the brutality; but the audience it was made for was no doubt very taken by it.
Example of poor propaganda
SimonJack6 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary was made by the U. S. War Department as a training film for American forces who would be serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Frank Capra was the head of the film unit that made it at the time. "Know Your Enemy - Japan" has some historical value as an example of good propaganda but poorly done. This film runs 63 minutes. It was made to inform American GIs about Japan and its people, culture, etc. It was released Aug. 9, 1945. Just five days later, Japan would announce its surrender, which was then formalized on Sept. 2, 1945.
I agree with the criticism of the film's apparent slant. The narrator's tone and comments in places are derogatory. Propaganda should give information truthfully and without ethnic slurs. That said, this film gave interesting - and accurate - information about Japan. Its history, people and culture of the last two centuries would help Americans understand the why and how of Japan's drive for conquest.
One can see some clear similarities between Japan and Germany in exciting fervor for war among many of their people. When a nation is clearly an aggressor, it must have strong public support to sustain war. The two Axis countries were adept in their own use of propaganda. Parades, military shows, films, and media support were used to arouse the people. And, much of their propaganda had fabricated wild stories and lies about the U. S. and Americans. That led to prolonged and unnecessary holdout fighting when their defeat was eminent.. The worst tragedy of that was the loss of many more Japanese lives. Many, including women and children committed suicide when American forces took islands that had been held by the Japanese.
An excellent movie, "Hell to Eternity" explores this matter, and is based on a true story. Jeffrey Hunter plays a Chicano American, Guy Gabaldon, who was raised by a Japanese-American family. He is serving in the Pacific, and after the U. S. captured Saipan in July 1944, many Japanese civilians began jumping off cliffs to their death. Gabaldon prevented many suicides and saved hundreds of lives. He spoke Japanese and assured the people and soldiers yet in hiding, that they would be well treated.
This documentary has several news film clips taken in Japan before and during the war. They show masses of people being rallied for support of Japan's efforts. The similarity to Nazi Germany is uncanny. One also can see how the nationalistic rallies in this film could lead so many Japanese soldiers to think lowly of other people. No doubt, that affected their disdain for their enemies and their ability to treat prisoners so brutally, including civilian women and children.
This documentary was a bonus on the DVD I obtained of John Ford's "December 7th: The Movie."
I agree with the criticism of the film's apparent slant. The narrator's tone and comments in places are derogatory. Propaganda should give information truthfully and without ethnic slurs. That said, this film gave interesting - and accurate - information about Japan. Its history, people and culture of the last two centuries would help Americans understand the why and how of Japan's drive for conquest.
One can see some clear similarities between Japan and Germany in exciting fervor for war among many of their people. When a nation is clearly an aggressor, it must have strong public support to sustain war. The two Axis countries were adept in their own use of propaganda. Parades, military shows, films, and media support were used to arouse the people. And, much of their propaganda had fabricated wild stories and lies about the U. S. and Americans. That led to prolonged and unnecessary holdout fighting when their defeat was eminent.. The worst tragedy of that was the loss of many more Japanese lives. Many, including women and children committed suicide when American forces took islands that had been held by the Japanese.
An excellent movie, "Hell to Eternity" explores this matter, and is based on a true story. Jeffrey Hunter plays a Chicano American, Guy Gabaldon, who was raised by a Japanese-American family. He is serving in the Pacific, and after the U. S. captured Saipan in July 1944, many Japanese civilians began jumping off cliffs to their death. Gabaldon prevented many suicides and saved hundreds of lives. He spoke Japanese and assured the people and soldiers yet in hiding, that they would be well treated.
This documentary has several news film clips taken in Japan before and during the war. They show masses of people being rallied for support of Japan's efforts. The similarity to Nazi Germany is uncanny. One also can see how the nationalistic rallies in this film could lead so many Japanese soldiers to think lowly of other people. No doubt, that affected their disdain for their enemies and their ability to treat prisoners so brutally, including civilian women and children.
This documentary was a bonus on the DVD I obtained of John Ford's "December 7th: The Movie."
A propaganda film for 2006
dantown28 August 2006
This is a tutorial film for a people sore afraid. This is both a primer on Japanese people, who deserve love, and Japanese people, who, 65 long and desperate years ago, deserved, an amount of fear. I love the Japanese people because I have no reason to do otherwise. It is not in my benefit to hate Japanese people.I actually love Japanese people because they have a beautiful culture. I love Japanese people because they have Zen Buddhism, which may be a credible religion- or not. This movie is designed to encourage Americans to distrust Japanese people-in the context of the hateful and totalitarian worldwide thrust towards Pacific Ocean domination. This movie is a profoundly well made propaganda film. It has an intense psychological impact. It speaks of the world fomented by the Japanese Imperial Army. The Imperial Army was in fact and in deed a vile force for hatred, genocide and narcissistic stupidity, which produced a world of suffering and pain. It was in fact evil. This movie correctly focused the viewer's attention on the evil and devious-in fact squalid- aim of the Japanese military in its totalitarian goals. The Japanese military was ultimately defeated. Thank you God. Now, we live in peace. It all seems a big misundertanding. The Japanese People had a Big Rising Sun on their flag. We, the Americans, dropped a big nuclear sun on two of their cities. This was a great sad day in human history. It was a great sad day in the history of all humanity. It was a great sad day in all human days. And yet, the Japanese Military suddenly stopped the beheading of three hundred thousand innocents in Nanjing- as if it were a mere accounting mistake. Never hear about the Japanese dedicating a shrine about the 300,000 Chinese disembowelled by the Japanese Army. A Mystery.
Cringe-worthy script
bud_0308625 August 2019
Absolutely Fantastic!
cheeftanz9 August 2017
This film was made for troops entering battle in the searing heat of the second "world war" in just one generation. That war was started by Japan against a neutral United States. This was during the increasingly brutal butchery by the Japanese Imperial army against almost all its Asian neighbors, also neutral.
Inconsistent, blotchy and incomplete, this film is a true gem. Many historical facts are present, contemporary views of the Japanese society clearly stated, and it brings us to where the US and Japanese goals collide.
It clearly also is an ideal primer for modern day China vs the USA, the parallels are everywhere. And the ending may be even worse. If one does not know history, rinse and repeat! But very much worth watching if we are careful to remember from what time and mental space it originated.
Inconsistent, blotchy and incomplete, this film is a true gem. Many historical facts are present, contemporary views of the Japanese society clearly stated, and it brings us to where the US and Japanese goals collide.
It clearly also is an ideal primer for modern day China vs the USA, the parallels are everywhere. And the ending may be even worse. If one does not know history, rinse and repeat! But very much worth watching if we are careful to remember from what time and mental space it originated.
Know Your Enemy - Japan
Michael_Elliott25 April 2017
Know Your Enemy - Japan (1945)
*** (out of 4)
This WWII documentary was part of the "Why We Fight" series and this one here was co-directed by the one and only Frank Capra. With added narration by Walter Huston, John Beal, Knox Manning and Howard Duff, this documentary tries to explain to Americans who exactly Japan is.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY - JAPAN is pretty much what you'd expect from a propaganda film of this era. Obviously America was deep into the war so countless documentaries were made to try and explain to the people at home what was going on, why we were fighting and, in this case, who we were fighting. Obviously there's a lot of material here that might not pass the truthful test but when viewing something like this it's important to remember when and why it was made.
As you'd expect, there's some pretty brutal war footage shown here including various scenes showing the horror of war, which means dead bodies. Some people might just want to skip this film and the series because of this footage and that would be understandable. I'm sure some might object to how this film shows Japanese people but, again, this was a propaganda film trying to rally support for the war so that is to be expected.
There's certainly nothing here that is greatly made and it's certainly not one of the greatest documentaries ever made. With that said, as a history piece it's quite interesting and well worth watching if you're interested in the subject.
*** (out of 4)
This WWII documentary was part of the "Why We Fight" series and this one here was co-directed by the one and only Frank Capra. With added narration by Walter Huston, John Beal, Knox Manning and Howard Duff, this documentary tries to explain to Americans who exactly Japan is.
KNOW YOUR ENEMY - JAPAN is pretty much what you'd expect from a propaganda film of this era. Obviously America was deep into the war so countless documentaries were made to try and explain to the people at home what was going on, why we were fighting and, in this case, who we were fighting. Obviously there's a lot of material here that might not pass the truthful test but when viewing something like this it's important to remember when and why it was made.
As you'd expect, there's some pretty brutal war footage shown here including various scenes showing the horror of war, which means dead bodies. Some people might just want to skip this film and the series because of this footage and that would be understandable. I'm sure some might object to how this film shows Japanese people but, again, this was a propaganda film trying to rally support for the war so that is to be expected.
There's certainly nothing here that is greatly made and it's certainly not one of the greatest documentaries ever made. With that said, as a history piece it's quite interesting and well worth watching if you're interested in the subject.
Who is right? I know.
REXNE17 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It is a successful informative training by the US army. The Japanese analyzed very well what kind of thinking they had in those years, and I think that what was said came true and will continue to come out. The Japanese are very nationalists, they show themselves as innocent, I don't think they are like that at all. Especially the comparison of martial arts and Japanese structures in the production was very good. What I have written may seem overwhelming to you, but this is the right thing, and it may be the right extremism.
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