U. S. H I S T O R Y
With Mrs. Washington
II
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT: WWII Movies
There are an abundance of movies made about World War II. It is impossible to show all of them in U.S. History II. Therefore, I am
offering two extra credit assignments for watching up to two World War II movies over the Mid-Winter Break. Below is a list of
suggested movies. You can watch all of them if you like, but I will only give extra credit for watching a maximum two of them and
writing a one page summary for each film that answers my specific questions about the film. (Each paper is worth one extra
“class work” assignment. This means that it could replace missing assignments OR simply be extra.)
Due: February 17, 2015: NO LATE PAPERS! (UNLESS YOU ARE EXCUSED ON THE 17th)
List of Suggested Movies
Patton (PG)
CAUTION – THIS MOVIE IS LONG…BUT GOOD
Address the following issues in your summary:
 Summarize General Patton’s life as depicted in the film.
 Based on the film, what was General Patton’s greatest success?
 Based on the film, what was General Patton’s greatest failure?
 What inspiration do you find in General Patton’s story?
THE FOLLOWING MOVIES HAVE BEEN RATED R BY THE MOTION
PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA FOR SCENES OF INTENSE
VIOLENCE. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PARENT’S PERMISSION TO
VIEW THESE! OTHERWISE CHOOSE TWO MOVIES FROM ABOVE!
Windtalkers (R)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 What was the plot of the film?
 Describe the scene where Joe Enders is forced to make the
toughest decision.
 How did the Navajo Code Talkers benefit Allied forces in World War
II?
 In your opinion, is the story of the Navajo Code Talkers one that
many Americans are aware of? Explain.
Flags of Our Fathers (R)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 Summarize the plot of the film.
 Briefly explain what it was like to fight in the Pacific
 Describe IN DETAIL the individual lives and personalities of the
main characters.
 Explain the conflict between the soldiers experience in the war and
their lives at home.
The Pianist (R)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 Summarize the plot of the film.
 Describe the Polish Jew’s lives prior to the German occupation.
 Describe their lives after the German occupation.

What is the irony of the encounter between the German soldier and
Wladyslaw Szpilman?
Pearl Harbor (PG-13)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 Summarize the plot of the film.
 Describe the strategy of the Japanese in their attack on Pearl
Harbor (as depicted in the film.)
 Vividly describe the attack scene. Include a description of the
technology, methods, weaponry, communications, damage done
and soldier’s responses.
Saving Private Ryan (R)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 Summarize the plot of the film.
o Describe the mood, attitude, atmosphere, technology and
strategies of the landing on the beach.
 Describe the scenery of the battle torn villages and cities of France.
 Based on the movie, what were the differences between the
American soldiers and the German soldiers
 Explain how this story depicts the life of an American World War II
soldier.
Band of Brothers (HBO Series -NR)
Address the following issues in your summary:
 You must watch TWO episodes. Indicate which two.
 Summarize the plot of the two episodes as if they were one movie.
Be detailed.
o Describe the mood, conflicts, attitude, atmosphere,
technology and strategies used by Easy Company.
 Describe the scenery of the battle torn villages and cities of Europe.
 Explain how this story depicts the life of an American World War II
soldier.
Paper Format Requirements:
Typed - 1 page maximum - Double spaced- 12 point font - 1 inch margins
Finding the Films:
All of these movies, except “Flags of Our Fathers” can be rented at www.Amazon.com through their Video on Demand. You may also try your local library,
video store, Netflix or your cable provider’s “On Demand” feature to find the other movies. ENJOY!!!!
*NOTES:
Mrs. W. reserves the right to verbally quiz you about the movie if she thinks that you did not watch it or watch the whole thing.
The credit for this assignment will NOT be added to your quarter grade until the end of the quarter.