Stop That Tank!
| Stop That Tank! | |
|---|---|
Title frame
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| Directed by | Ub Iwerks (uncredited) |
| Produced by | |
| Voices by | Billy Bletcher as The Devil (voice) (uncredited) |
| Studio | Walt Disney Studios |
| Distributed by | Department of National Defence (Canada) |
| Release date(s) | 1942 |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Donald's Decision (1942) |
Stop That Tank! (aka Boys Anti-Tank Rifle) is a 22-minute 1942 instructional film created during World War II by Walt Disney Productions for the Directorate of Military Training, The Department of National Defence and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). Its purpose, akin to “edutainment”, was to instruct Canadian soldiers in the handling and care of the Boys Mk.1 Anti-tank rifle for use in combat against Nazi tanks. The film presented information in an entertaining manner as well as providing an anti-Nazi propaganda message.
Stop That Tank! is organized into two separate sections: the first animated section lasting three minutes, 15 seconds is a comedic demonstration of the anti-tank gun in an anti-Nazi propaganda "sketch", while the second longer section uses both cartoon animation and live action sequences to demonstrate proper use and handling of the Mk.1 Boys Anti-Tank Rifle.
An armada of Nazi tanks, led by Adolf Hitler, approaches a town, with Hitler announcing, “the enemy is asleep” and ordering his troops to “give ‘em the works.” The tanks rush forward, firing into the sleepy town.
Camouflaged Canadian soldiers, equipped with the Boys Mk.1 rifle, start to emerge from various secret positions to stop the advancing tanks, hitting them repeatedly with accurate rounds. Hitler’s tank receives a direct hit from the Canadian troops’ fire and tumbles straight down into hell. In front of a huge, red, round-faced Satan, Hitler begins throwing an hysterical tantrum on the floor over his defeat. Satan, shouting over the increasingly loud and irrational tantrum, indicates Hitler believes that against the anti-tank rifle, he cannot win.
The Boys anti-tank rifle is then described in detail through both animated and live action sequences. Using highly detailed schematic views, the design of the .55 calibre anti-tank rifle is analyzed. A demonstration of how to use the weapon stresses the need to accurately aim and "lead" a moving target, locate weak areas on armoured vehicles, and fire effectively at close range. Live action sequences demonstrate loading, firing, reloading, taking the weapon apart, cleaning and maintenance. This footage adds an air of authenticity “by virtues of its photographic realism.”
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Wikipedia