The Battle of Midway received the Academy Award for best documentary in 1942 because of its stark and harrowing footage of an actual World War II battle. Famous director John Ford was stationed at Midway Island. When the base is attacked, Ford was shooting film from atop a power plant and actual took a shrapnel wound! The footage that he risked his life to capture is nothing short of spectacular. Henry Fonda provides narration that leans heavily on American war propaganda. But the true treasure of this fantastic film is in its rare and honest footage. The Battle of Midway is a crucial piece of documentary filmmaking that will forever be part of the bedrock of cinematic history.
