The Plot Thickens: Episode Summary - "The Search"

Release Date: June 27, 2024

Introduction

In the fourth episode of Season Five of "The Plot Thickens," host Ben Mankiewicz delves into the enigmatic quest to uncover a purported lost World War II film by legendary director John Ford. Entitled "The Search," this episode unravels the mystery behind Ford's alleged documentary footage from D Day, exploring the depths of archival hunts across the United States, the United Kingdom, and even attempts to probe Russian archives.

The Mystery of John Ford's D Day Film

The episode opens with Willard Foxton, a seasoned reporter and war correspondent turned podcast contributor, recounting his discovery of a tantalizing footnote in Stephen Ambrose's book On D Day. This footnote references a 1964 interview where John Ford mentions a color film he shot during the D Day invasion—a film that seemingly vanished without a trace.

[01:53] Ben Mankiewicz: "A couple of decades ago, I picked up a copy of Stephen Ambrose's book On D Day... I remember thinking how incredible. John Ford was there on D Day."

[03:46] Ben Mankiewicz: "It just felt like the Tutankhamun's tomb of movie making."

Foxton becomes intrigued by the possibility of this lost footage, considering it a historical treasure that could offer unprecedented insights into one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century.

Initial Search Efforts in the United States

Determined to locate Ford's missing film, Foxton collaborates with Bonnie Rowan, a dedicated film researcher, to scour American archives. Their initial efforts lead them to the Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Presidential Library, where they hope to find records or copies of the elusive footage. However, their search yields no results, leading to a dead end.

[08:05] Ben Mankiewicz: "So I went to the FDR library. To see what they had."

Realizing the FDR Library holds no clues, Rowan redirects their efforts to the National Archives, renowned for housing vast collections of federal documents and footage.

[09:57] Ben Mankiewicz: "One of the things that's important to realize about the National Archives is that a number of federal agencies produce hundreds of thousands of motion picture film productions."

Here, archivist Steve Green uncovers four reels labeled as D Day. Excitement mounts as they project the footage, which appears to be an edited compilation of the invasion. However, discrepancies arise—contrary to Ford's claim of color footage, the reels are entirely in black and white, and the content lacks the graphic intensity Ford described.

[11:48] Ben Mankiewicz: "But when you look at it, it wasn't that disturbing. It didn't fulfill the story."

Consequently, Rowan and Mankiewicz conclude that these reels likely do not constitute Ford's lost masterpiece.

Clues from John Ford's Interview

Delving deeper, the team revisits Ford's 1964 interview, extracting critical information that hints at the film's storage location—Anacostia, near Washington, D.C. However, tragedy strikes when a fire engulfs the National Archives' nitrate vaults in 1978, potentially destroying millions of feet of film, including any remaining copies of Ford's D Day footage.

[13:57] Ben Mankiewicz: "National Archives nitrate vaults went up in flames in December, 14 years after John Ford said his film was stored there."

This devastating loss casts further doubt on the existence of the film, leaving the searchers grappling with the grim possibility that Ford's footage may have perished in the fire.

Searching the UK Archives

Undeterred, Foxton shifts his focus to the United Kingdom, spurred by rumors that copies of Ford's film might have been sent to prominent leaders like Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. His investigation leads him to the Imperial War Museum in London, where curator Toby Haggath reveals a similar black and white film labeled "A picture compilation of some of the activities that took place on D Day and D Day 3."

[19:08] Ben Mankiewicz: "A picture compilation of some of the activities that took place on D Day and D Day 3. It's not a great title."

Despite initial optimism, the British version lacks key elements Ford described, such as graphic battle scenes and color footage. Furthermore, there is no documentation indicating that Churchill or other leaders viewed the film.

[25:18] Willard Foxton: "In our search in the UK, there was nothing in the records. My UK search left me feeling a little bummed out."

Attempted Search in Russia

The next frontier in the search is Russia, motivated by the fact that Stalin was reportedly an admirer of John Ford's work. Foxton enlists the help of Alexander Kanderoff, a former employee of the Krasnogorsk Russian State Archives of Film and Photo Documents. Despite the archive's extensive holdings, Kanderoff finds no evidence of Ford's D Day film.

[33:33] Ben Mankiewicz: "They sent a collection of Movietone and other American news to Russians as allies. But there is no evidence that there is a special film sent to Stalin, be it the 33-minute film or any other film."

Additionally, geopolitical tensions and travel advisories cast doubts on the feasibility of accessing further Russian archives.

Theories on the Film's Disappearance

With exhaustive searches across multiple countries yielding no definitive evidence, several theories emerge:

1. Destruction in the 1978 Fire: The most plausible theory suggests that the film was lost in the National Archives' nitrate vault fire.
2. Exaggerated Claims by John Ford: Some experts, including Ford biographers Scott Iman and Joseph McBride, posit that Ford may have embellished his accounts, leading to the perpetuation of a non-existent film.
3. Unrealized Project: It's possible that Ford never completed the film, or only created preliminary footage that never saw fruition.

[35:19] Willard Foxton: "With Ford, you really can't ever rule out the idea that he was, at a minimum, stretching the truth."

Reflections on John Ford's Experience

The episode concludes with a poignant reflection on how Ford's experiences on D Day profoundly affected him. Having sought military service, Ford was instead confronted with the brutal realities of war, leading to personal struggles and a departure from his Hollywood success.

[43:28] Willard Foxton: "Priceless reels of film shot by a team of Hollywood cameramen, all led by John Ford, with footage of one of the most important battles in modern history. Slipping away into the ocean, truly lost."

Foxton emphasizes the emotional weight of Omaha Beach's history, underscoring the significance of understanding and bearing witness to such monumental events.

Conclusion

While the search for John Ford's D Day film closes without uncovering the elusive footage, "The Search" offers a fascinating journey through archival detective work, international collaboration, and historical inquiry. It highlights the challenges inherent in preserving and uncovering cinematic history, especially amidst the tumultuous backdrop of global conflict.

As Foxton poignantly states, understanding what truly transpired on Omaha Beach is perhaps more critical than the fate of a single film, serving as a testament to the sacrifices made and the enduring impact of war on individuals and art alike.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Mankiewicz [01:53]: "A couple of decades ago, I picked up a copy of Stephen Ambrose's book On D Day... I remember thinking how incredible. John Ford was there on D Day."

• Willard Foxton [04:27]: "This is my fellow TCM host, Eddie Mueller, reading what John Ford told the reporter."

• Ben Mankiewicz [05:44]: "Everyone held his breath. While the naval bombardment was going on, things began to happen fast."

• Willard Foxton [11:55]: "This is not the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. It's also not very John Fordian."

• Ben Mankiewicz [22:05]: "Is this John Ford's film? I don't think this is it, no."

• Willard Foxton [35:19]: "With Ford, you really can't ever rule out the idea that he was, at minimum, stretching the truth."

Final Thoughts

"The Search" masterfully intertwines historical investigation with personal storytelling, offering listeners an engaging exploration of a cinematic mystery that bridges the worlds of film and World War II history. While the elusive footage remains out of reach, the episode enriches our understanding of both John Ford's legacy and the broader narrative of wartime documentation.