Why should we review today the films made by U.S. and European filmmakers more than fifty years ago? We all know that the moving image is the medium of our age. But can film effect widespread social change? It seems clear that the Marshall Plan filmmakers thought so.

The Marshall Plan filmmakers were charged with persuading whole societies to lay down the weapons and bitterness of war and to work towards peaceful co-existence. How did their efforts impact the attitudes held by Germans and other Europeans towards war today?

The countries of the former Soviet Union, including Russia herself, are today part of a greater Europe. The Berlin Wall – probably the most powerful symbol of the divisions between East and West – is no more. What role did the Marshall Plan films play in the demise of European Communism?

Today, the U.S. government launches another effort to "sell democracy," this time in the Middle East. Calls for another Marshall Plan abound. Before cloaking occupational forces in Marshall Plan camouflage, let us study the goals and methods of the original Marshall Plan, and hear again the words of George Marshall as he spoke them in June of 1947:

"It is already evident that, before the United States Government can proceed much further in its efforts to alleviate the situation and help start the European world on its way to recovery, there must be some agreement among the countries of Europe as to the requirements of the situation and the part those countries themselves will take in order to give proper effect to whatever action might be undertaken by this Government. It would be neither fitting nor efficacious for this Government to undertake to draw up unilaterally a program designed to place Europe on its feet economically. This is the business of the Europeans... The role of this country should consist of friendly aid in the drafting of a European program and of later support of such a program so far as it may be practical for us to do so...An essential part of any successful action on the part of the United States is an understanding on the part of the people of America of the character of the problem and the remedies to be applied. Political passion and prejudice should have no part. With foresight, and a willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibility which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties I have outlined can and will be overcome."