Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive

Diary of a Sergeant

About this item

Description "Diary of a Sergeant" portrays the post-war life of a soldier who lost both of his hands on D-Day (though his injury was the result of an explosion while testing weapons on base in North Carolina). Former soldier Harold Russell stars in the film, and much of the plot is based on his own experiences after the amputation of his hands in the war. Russell would go on to win an Academy Award for playing a disabled veteran in "The Best Years of Our Lives". Russell's narration reflects on the difficulties of living with his disability and the perceived shame of not having sustained his injury while in battle. Portrays the solider learning how to complete everyday tasks with his prostheses. Posits that the technological advances in prosthetic limbs will be around far after the Nazis. Concludes with a statement from the U.S. Surgeon General.
Creator U.S. Army Pictorial Service Signal Corps
Contributor Harold Russell: actor
Date Issued 1945
Original Format 16mm print
Duration 23:58
Color/Black & White B&W
Sound/Silent Sound
Nation of Origin U.S.
Geographic Coverage Boston University
Temporal Coverage June 6, 1944 (D-Day)

Files

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