Bertin-Maghit provides a detailed analysis of the linkages between French and German propaganda during the Vichy years. Though the Nazis and the French collaborationist government had some common goals—for example, the vilification of the British and virulent anti-Semitism—they also diverged on a number of points, in particular the future of France. To focus on these points of convergence and divergence, Bertin-Maghit scrutinizes the mechanisms and content of Vichy documentary filmmaking. Vichy propagandists considered the documentary format as the most effective for influencing public opinion, an attitude that was in line with Nazi propaganda. Indeed, Vichy propagandists often mined Nazi documentaries for actuality footage. Vichy propagandists, however, wanted their documentary films to promote Marshal Petain and encourage what they called a national regeneration rather than Nazi themes of European hegemony. Despite their outward assertions of independence, Vichy propagandists, and their films, were subordinate to German policy and ultimately a failure…. [T]he book is a valuable resource for students of wartime propaganda…. For research libraries.

Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.

CHOICE

The appearance of this translation of Jean-Pierre Bertin-Maghit’s 2007 French-language work is a timely reminder of the importance of the role of documentary film during the Occupation and takes as its focus a specific grouping of documentaries in support of its argument. . . . This is. . . an important addition to works available in English providing greater understanding and interpretation of Occupied France and of the mechanisms deployed in the promotion of the palatability of the Vichy regime and its collaborators (in all senses of the word).

H-France Review