When the US entered World War Two in 1941, Americans accustomed to isolationism had to be convinced that this was the right move. To do this, the government in Washington turned to the movies. As a result, the Hollywood dream factory, focused on entertainment and profit, became a patriotic institution. Renowned directors, some of them refugees from the Nazis, dedicated themselves to documentaries and filmed on the frontline. What motivated them, how did they tread the fine line between reality and propaganda? From a modern perspective, not only is their unique footage an important historical resource, it also presents Hollywood in a new light.