There is something about watching old black-and-white documentary footage of World War II that feels almost removed from reality. It shows you a version of the conflict that you understand was horrendous on an intellectual level, but in truth it is easy to contextualize it as just something you are seeing on a screen. The new documentary Apocalypse ‘45 from Erik Nelson does not allow you to do such a thing. Culled from over 700 reels of archival color footage, heretofore unseen by the general public, that have been sitting in a vault in the National Archive and have now been restored in 4K, this new documentary provides the viewer with an immediacy so potent that many viewers may find it hard to bear. Much in the way that Peter Jackson brought the horrors of the First World War to life in They Shall Not Grow Old, Nelson goes beyond the carefully curated films of yore to provide an unflinching look at the final months of the brutal War in the Pacific. With the help of two dozen men who actually lived through the conflict sharing their stories, we get an essential look at one of the great global tragedies.
The work that has been done with this footage is so incredible that it can barely be believed. An early glimpse of Pearl Harbor that was shot in the wake of the attack by the great John Ford (The Grapes of Wrath) provides the scene in horrific detail that transports you right into the wreckage. The level of access only gets more impressive as you follow the action overseas where cameramen stood shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers on the frontline. This coupled with the footage captured from the bombers outfitted with gun cameras reveal many startling images. By this point in the war, the Japanese already had their backs against the wall, but the violent tenacity with which they resisted surrender led to much bloodshed on both sides. We witness scenes at the Battle of Manilla and see troops as they are preparing to storm the island of Iwo Jima. We accompany planes on bombing runs while likewise capturing many moments of kamikaze pilots serving up destruction to American targets. It is clear that there were no real winners when it comes down to it.
For all the stunning footage included within the film, it would still not resonate quite as much as it does without the personal accounts of the two dozen aging shoulders not identified until the end of the film. Admittedly, there is a part of you who wants to know who these men are as we are moving along, but with this approach these anonymous voices feel as if they are unburdening themselves in a confessional. While they all fought the same war, no two responses to the time spent confronting the opposition register as the same. Some subjects understandably still have contempt embedded in their DNA from their time fighting the Japanese, while another nearly breaks down from the guilt he feels knowing he will have to reckon with God over the men he killed. Many express the feeling that only luck allowed them to escape with their lives, while others note that they felt invincible. Perhaps the material most difficult to stomach is the discussion of the Atomic Bombs. The debate still continues to this day, but hearing accounts from both sides of the explosion may solidify your particular stance.
If the words do not shake you to your core, the grisly imagery certainly should. The fallout from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are shown in stark details with numerous corpses and permanent scars on those who survived. You can almost feel the heat coming off the screen as you see soldiers shooting their flamethrowers down bunkers as the narrator recounts the smell of human flesh being burned. The bombing of Tokyo is shown and explained to be an even deadlier experience over the course of a single night than both atomic bombs combined. The most personally unsettling moment is seeing a Japanese woman on the Mariana Islands jumping off a cliff to her death rather than allow herself to be captured by American forces. This footage, like all of the other provided, is horrifying but necessary to understand the full gravity of what our world once experienced. Apocalypse ‘45 is one of the most impactful looks at World War II that film has been able to provide. Other documentaries have given you this information before, but few have had the ability to make you feel it in your bones in the way this one does.
Video Quality
The Blu-Ray of Apocalypse ‘45 is composed of archival color footage from the National Archives that have been digitally restored in 4K. This is a gorgeous restoration that all but eliminates most blemishes to the print outside of the occasional white specks, tiny lines and other small blemishes. The transfer maintains impeccable film grain support throughout with nothing looking unnatural and no major instances of spiking. When you consider the age and original condition of the source material, it is pleasing to see it looking so strong. There does not appear to be any issues with compression artifacts or any other such digital anomalies. The track does show off some fine detail in the clothing of the soldiers and in some of the background elements in the landscapes. Colors present with a nice vividness that pops off the screen. This presentation does a stellar job of giving life to these historical moments. The new moments at the end where we get to see the soldiers in the present day look as clear and striking as a new high definition documentary should look.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with both a stellar DTS-HD 5.1 & 2.0 Master Audio track that captures this material perfectly. Dialogue is the driving force of the film, and it comes through crisp and clear without being clipped by any competing sounds. The film is almost strictly stories being told over this vintage footage, and all of the subjects have been captured quite capably. Some of the participants have more strain in their voice than others, but there is never a time when anyone is incomprehensible. The music and the score from Mark Leggett establish the mood of the film, and those sounds are resolved well here as music often sleeks throughout the room. The audio track brings the environmental sounds of war to life in a very unsettling manner, and this disc proves to be an excellent sounding presentation for this feature. There are optional English SDH subtitles included for those who desire them.
Special Features
- Ford At Pearl (2021): A 23-minute featurette containing footage shot by John Ford (Wagon Master) in Pearl Harbor in 1942. This has a very similar construction as the main film with the on-screen text, but this shows both the efforts of the Hollywood director during this volatile time and the amazing footage he was able to capture. The insights from some of the subjects in this piece go a long way towards highlighting how incredible this whole endeavor actually was. A really great companion piece to the documentary.
- To The Shores of Iwo Jima (1945): The 20-minute Oscar-nominated documentary has been newly restored in 6.5K color film with a 5.1/stereo mix. This powerful document traces the Battle of Iwo Jima from the initial bombardment to the final resistance and flag raising. This material is incredible and the new restoration really does it justice.
- The Last Bomb (1945): The 36-minute Oscar-nominated documentary has been newly restored in 6.5K color film with a 5.1/stereo mix. This propaganda film chronicles the bombing of Japan up until the bombing of Nagasaki. The slant this film takes can be uncomfortable from a modern context, but it is important to view it as a historical document with really engaging footage once again brought to vivid life with an amazing restoration.
- Restoration Comparison: An eleven minute demonstration of some of the footage shown in the film before the restoration and afterwards. The difference is night and day, and it is a true testament to the care that was put into this material.
- Alternate Credit Role: A nearly four-minute alternate version of the end credits is provided with animated pictures. It’s a bit too uncanny for comfort.
- Trailers: The three-minute trailer is provided for Apocalypse ‘45. There is also a trailer provided for The Cold Blue.
Final Thoughts
Apocalypse ‘45 is a deeply impactful documentary that takes on the horrifying but necessary task of bringing World War II to life in a substantial manner. The combination of stunning, newly-restored footage and the personal accounts from those on the ground allows for an experience that you will not soon forget. Erik Nelson has crafted a vital piece of filmmaking that should be viewed by all who believe they can handle it. Kino Lober has released a Blu-Ray featuring a really stunning A/V presentation and a tremendous array of supplemental features that only further enhance the package. If this even sounds the slightest bit like something that would interest you, you owe it to yourself to check it out Recommended
Apocalypse ‘45 will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD on September 7, 2021.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
