Are We Civilized? is an independently released 1934 pre-Code American social problem film directed by Edwin Carewe which constituted a veiled attack on Adolf Hitler.[1] The film was given a negative review by Time magazine upon its release.[2] Footage of dinosaurs in the film are recycled from the 1918 Willis H. O'Brien's film The Ghost of Slumber Mountain.

Are We Civilized?
Directed byEdwin Carewe
Written byHarold Sherman (writer)
Produced byEdwin Carewe (producer)
StarringSee below
CinematographyAl Green
Leon Shamroy
Edited byDan Milner
Music byMatthew Ray
Mussina Wachtel
Production
company
Raspin Productions
Distributed byRaspin Productions
Release date
  • June 6, 1934 (1934-06-06)
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Paul is a European who served during the Great War, and has since emigrated to the United States. One day he returns to Europe and talks of freedom and liberty. The authorities (clearly based on German Nazis but unnamed) come down on him. It is their duty to spread racism and religious hatred. Paul gives the speech of a lifetime set against an epic series of films spread across the history of mankind.

Cast

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Notes

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  1. ^ Doherty. pg. 99
  2. ^ Cinema: The New Pictures: Jun. 25, 1934, Time, June 25, 1934, accessed October 10, 2010

References

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  • Doherty, Thomas Patrick. Pre-Code Hollywood: Sex, Immorality, and Insurrection in American Cinema 1930-1934. New York: Columbia University Press 1999. ISBN 0-231-11094-4
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