One of the most powerful, emotion-packed documentaries to emerge from World War II, “Diary of a Sergeant” profiles Canadian-born, Boston-raised paratroop sergeant Harold Russel. On June 6, 1944 Russell lost both hands in a demolition accident. He later appeared in this Army Signal Corps documentary in which he acted out the various phases of the rehabilitation process of an amputee. Director William Wyler saw the film while preparing “The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)” and cast Russell as the film’s disabled returning veteran. For his performance in The Best Years of Our Lives, Russell won both the Academy Award as the year’s Best Supporting Actor and a second, honorary Oscar “for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans.” He is the only actor ever to win two Oscars for the same role.
The film gives a good luck at WWII era rehabilitation of the wounded and those who suffered disability. Over the course of the movie Russell moves from a hospital bed to rehabilitation facility, learning to write, swim and even play basketball with his prosthetics. At 14:50 a group of amputees dances with local dames. By September 6, 1944, Russell is allowed to go home on furlough. At 15:35 he boards a train, spots an attractive young woman, and in his internal monologue considers what it will take to restore his sense of pride about his appearance. At 19:00 Russell visits Boston University where the President personally lobbies him to attend. At 19:45 he prepares to go on a date. It turns out that he did ask the woman on the train out. At 20:49 he puts money in a jukebox and dances with his new sweetheart. The film ends with Major General Norman T. Kirk, Surgeon General of the Army, discussing Russell’s situation and the Army’s support for men like him to achieve equality and normality.
The bitter reality of the era was of course that American society was not prepared to assist so many badly injured men. It would be another generation for instance until wheelchair ramps and handicap accessible bathrooms would become mandated.
At 5:36, Russell watches a film showing Charlie McGonigal, a WWI veteran who had injuries similar to Russell.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
