The Imperial War Museum Collection features rare and fascinating original films preserved in the Museum’s archives. Many have never been released to the public before and are presented here, complete and uncut, for the very first time.

Winner of the 1945 Academy Award for Best Documentary, The True Glory (co-directed by Carol Reed and Garson Kanin) was produced by the Allied military during 1944-45 as a permanent visual record of the campaign in Europe. Covering every major engagement from D-Day to the fall of Berlin, this auspicious production (widely regarded as one of the greatest war documentaries ever made) features an introduction by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who approved the film prior to its release.

From Italy to D-Day
Covering the war in Europe from July 1943 to June 1944, this film concentrates on the land operations of the Western Allies and was produced by British Movietone News.

From D-Day to Paris
Produced by British Movietone News, this film covers the liberation of Cherbourg and Caen, the German counterattack on Mortain, and culminates with the liberation of Paris.

From Paris to the Rhine
This film produced by British Movietone News follows the course of the war during the last months of 1944 including the war in the Balkans, Hungary and Scandinavia.

From the Rhine to Victory
Produced by British Paramount News, this film focuses on the closing stages of the war against Germany including the Western Allies crossing the Rhine, the opening of concentration camps and the capture of Berlin.

Land and Live in the Desert
Produced by the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942, this rare film vividly demonstrates survival skills for air crews shot down in the desert.

Wavell’s 30,000
Produced by the Crown Film Unit in 1942, this film provides a detailed account of British and Commonwealth successes under General Sir Archibald Wavell against the Italians in Libya culminating in the capture of Bengazi.

The Siege of Tobruk
Produced by the Army Film Unit, Imperial Forces and the British Newsreel Association in 1942, this film provides rare material of the first siege of Tobruk and shows British, Australian and Polish troops defending this small Libyan port.

Defenders of Tobruk
Produced by the Australian Department of Information Official Unit in 1942, this short film focuses on Australian troops during the first siege of Tobruk.