Renewed Meaning
“Everything is different since 9/11,” says James Moll, the writer-director of “Price for Peace,” an NBC documentary about the men who served in the Pacific during World War II. Which may be why there seems to be so much Memorial Day-related programming this year.
Moll, an Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker (“The Last Days”), says that this Memorial Day, Americans will be reminded of the bravery of our armed forces “in a way they haven’t for many, many years.”
“Price for Peace,” which can be seen Monday at 8 p.m. and was executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Stephen E. Ambrose, was in the works prior to last year’s terrorist attacks.
“We had finished a rough cut of the film just before 9/11,” Moll says. “I had a scene in there about the fact the United States has this great military force that was taken for granted. No one ever realized that we have the Army, Marines and Navy at the ready and constantly training. I did a lot of interviews with veterans at Camp Pendleton during a reunion and shot a lot of film of the Marines in training. It was eye-opening to me. We were living at a time when we took our military for granted. We don’t anymore.”
“Price for Peace,” which is narrated by Tom Brokaw, features color footage shot by the Marines during World War II, along with interviews with veterans. “They were chosen for the types of experience they had during the war,” Moll explains, “so we could cover the breadth of experiences during the war.” The program also examines the Japanese perspective of World War II.
“It is not simply a patriotic, flag-waving salute to America,” he says. “It examines the grim realities of war.”
Here’s an overview of other Memorial Day programming for the holiday weekend:
“In Memoriam: 9/11/01, New York City”: A documentary on the terrorist attacks in New York City, utilizing personal collections of video and still photography shot by residents of the Big Apple. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and his staff serve as guides of that fateful day, from their first realization of what had happened through the rescue and recovery efforts. Sunday at 9 p.m., HBO.
“The 2002 National Memorial Day Concert”: Actor and World War II veteran Ossie Davis is the host of this annual concert from the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This year, the 90-minute special honors the soldiers who endured the Bataan Death March during World War II, as well as the victims and heroes of Sept. 11. Tony Danza, Heather Headley, Charlotte Church and Charles Durning join the National Symphony Orchestra. Sunday at 8 p.m., KCET and KVCR.
“The Wartime Cartoons”: A documentary on how the U.S. government enlisted the help of Hollywood’s major animators to help bolster morale among the troops during World War II through the use of animated entertainment. Sunday at 9 p.m., Cartoon Network.
“American Experience: Battle of the Bulge”: Repeat of a documentary about the last days of 1944, when 30 German divisions broke through the Allied front, causing the largest surrender of American troops since Bataan. Sunday at 9:30 p.m., KCET.
Movie Marathons: Turner Classic Movies salutes our armed services with a marathon of war movies, kicking off Monday at 3 a.m. with the 1930 Oscar-winner, “All Quiet on the Western Front.” Other movies featured include “The Men,” “The Battle of the Bulge,” “The Great Escape,” “Pork Chop Hill” and “The Story of G.I. Joe.” American Movie Classic counters with its own marathon, beginning Monday at 4 a.m. with “None but the Brave.” Other titles include “The Purple Heart,” “Back to Bataan,” “To Hell and Back,” “Flying Leathernecks,” “Strategic Air Command,” “Midway” and “Force 10 From Navarone.”
“Military Diaries”: Created as a result of 9/11, this new VH1 series chronicles the lives of music fans who serve in various branches of the U.S. armed forces. Volunteers in the military are given video cameras to record daily diaries. Monday at 10 p.m., VH1.
“Founding Brothers”: A four-hour documentary exploring both the personal and public life of the statesmen who established a new political and social order. George Washington, Aaron Burr, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are profiled. Monday and Tuesday at 9 p.m., the History Channel.
“Vietnam Passage: Journeys From War to Peace”: A documentary hosted by Los Angeles Times correspondent David Lamb about postwar Vietnam, as seen through the eyes of seven people whose lives were defined by the war. Wednesday at 10 p.m., KCET.
“Be Your Own Hero: Call to Duty”: This hourlong documentary pays tribute to the women who serve in the various branches of the U.S. military. Highlights include several female cadets from the first graduating class of West Point and a military couple with two children who serve in different locations. Friday at 7 p.m., Lifetime.
