Adjunct History Instructor Produces Global Documentary Project on World War II
Ryan Clauser rewinds World War II footage on repeat. He carefully studies every detail—from the color of the airplanes to the narration and the style of soldiers’ helmets and patches. Each aspect of the film tells a different story.
As a producer and historical/story consultant of a global documentary project, it’s part of his job to determine whether that story is accurate.
The project, “Eyewitness WWII: Invasion Italy the Forgotten Front,” is the second documentary Clauser has worked on with Lou Reda Productions and Disney/NatGeo. This upcoming film will convey the experiences of soldiers and commanders of the theatre during the war’s Italian campaign.
“We attempt to tell the story of the Italian campaign through the eyes of those who lived it. Instead of having a documentary that is heavily narrated in third person, the audience of this film will hear the words of those like Audie Murphy, Felix Sparks, Daniel Inouye, and others about their actual time in Italy.”
Clauser hopes that the documentary’s emphasis on primary sources will help humanize military experiences during World War II. More than this, he hopes to shed light on the Italian campaign.
“It’s a part of the war that is sometimes overlooked because it did not feature as many large battles as the Pacific or Fortress Europe; but it was just as important a theatre of operation, especially in Europe, that allowed the Allies to plan for the D-Day invasion.”
For as long as he can remember, Clauser has been passionate about history. While his research primarily focuses on airpower during World War I and World War II, he enjoys studying military history in general. His expertise makes him an asset when determining the accuracy of documentaries, and he feels humbled when approached to assist with one.
“Opportunities like this are what I look forward to, and I hope I lent some more credibility and good ideas to the project,” he says.
The documentary is expected to air on NatGeo in Europe and parts of Asia early next year. Details on the U.S. release are yet to be determined.