Story of the Unknown Soldier

Story of the Unknown Soldier

11 mins | Documentary | Jan. 1, 1932

For Histoire du soldat inconnu (Story of the Unknown Soldier) Storck watched newsreels for the whole of 1928, the year when 60 nations signed a pact outlawing war, and juxtaposed this heart-warming utopia with the signs of a forthcoming conflict (this was in 1932) – burgeoning nationalism, police brutality, excessive colonialism, bellicose politics. Ferocious editing sarcastically juxtaposes these good intentions with the political farce of speeches and parades, all to the tune of factory chimneys collapsing in slow motion and the exhumed body of an “unknown soldier”. —cinematek.be

Story of the Unknown Soldier

11 mins | Documentary | Jan. 1, 1932

Story of the Unknown Soldier
For Histoire du soldat inconnu (Story of the Unknown Soldier) Storck watched newsreels for the whole of 1928, the year when 60 nations signed a pact outlawing war, and juxtaposed this heart-warming utopia with the signs of a forthcoming conflict (this was in 1932) – burgeoning nationalism, police brutality, excessive colonialism, bellicose politics. Ferocious editing sarcastically juxtaposes these good intentions with the political farce of speeches and parades, all to the tune of factory chimneys collapsing in slow motion and the exhumed body of an “unknown soldier”. —cinematek.be
Producers Films Henri Storck
Original title Histoire du soldat inconnu
Directors Henri Storck
Writers

Cast

Benito Mussolini

as Himself (archive footage)

Philippe Pétain

as Himself (archive footage)

Czar Nicholas II of Russia

as Himself (archive footage)