The Effectiveness of Australian Film Propaganda for the War Effort 1914-1918

Abstract

Film propaganda is common in modern societies, especially in times of crisis such as wars and revolutions, as well as being a mainstay of totalitarian regimes. From commercial advertising to political propaganda during election campaigns, there is a general acceptance of the value of expending large sums of money and great energy on persuading the general public to a particular point of view. However, these assumptions deserve to be challenged. A study of the success or failure of wartime cinematic propaganda in Australia during the Great War, suggests that it is more likely to follow public opinion than to lead it.