The 1946 John Huston movie that was banned for 36 years: “It was quite a campaign”
Filmmaker John Huston produced a documentary following World War Two veterans as they underwent psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation following combat-related injuries and psychological damage. The War Department blocked its release in 1946, officially citing privacy violations, though Huston suspected the military wanted to protect a narrative of unbroken soldiers rather than acknowledge the psychological toll of warfare.
After decades of suppression, the film found champions including Vice President Walter Mondale, who worked alongside figures such as Jack Valenti and Ray Stark to secure its release in 1981. Huston's documentary finally reached audiences after remaining hidden for over three decades, demonstrating the extensive effort required to overcome institutional censorship of inconvenient wartime realities.
- John Huston's 1946 documentary on WWII soldiers recovering from combat trauma through psychiatric treatment was suppressed by the War Department for 36 years
- The film was finally released in 1981 after advocacy from Vice President Walter Mondale and other industry figures