Men of Bronze (1977) User Reviews

First-class documentary on African-Americans in WWI

[pfdocwilson · 9/10 · 27 April 2001]

First-class documentary on World War I's 369th Infantry Regiment (originally the 15th New York), also known as the Harlem Hellfighters and the Rattlesnake Regiment. They fought the the racism of the Army establishment from the earliest formation of the unit, through training (at a camp in Spartanburg, SC) and then posting to France, where they were initially given menial tasks such as stevedores and porters. Eventually they were assigned to fight under command of the French, who had no prejudice against black soldiers fighting alongside whites, and the 369th became the most decorated American unit in WWI. Their regimental band also became world-famous under the leadership of James Reese Europe, whose music and career were featured in Ken Burns' JAZZ. Europe and the Hellfighters Band are often credited with introducing jazz to Europe.