Idaho Today spoke with Mandla Dube, D.G.A., the award-winning director of the docuseries The Great War, which is airing on HISTORY this Memorial Day. Mellisa Paul spoke to Mandla about this incredible look back at our brave men who sacrificed much for their country, only to return home to a life of struggle and challenges because of their race. Executive produced by Robin Roberts, this two-night event showcases the lesser-heard stories from World War I, also called The Great War. The Harlem Hellfighters stories will grace the cinematic documentary covering U.S. involvement in World War I during the critical years of 1917 and 1918.
Memorial Day weekend is a time to reflect on war stories, acts of bravery, and the sacrifices of those who gave their all. This year, HISTORY offers a unique perspective with its in-depth look at the Harlem Hellfighters, a group of African American men who fought valiantly in World War I. At a time when American troops were less organized and populated than in the next great war of the last century, these men, with their unwavering courage, earned significant recognition in France. However, their return home was marred by a world that treated them as less than equal, highlighting the racial tensions of the time.
After three years of horrific battles in the trenches of France and Belgium, the Allies were nearly defeated as Germany was on the cusp of victory. The United States military was wan; they needed to train, arm, and ship millions of young soldiers overseas to Europe for the first time.
Mr. Dube serves as director of The HISTORY Channel’s two-night documentary series event, which covers America’s involvement in World War I through the eyes of General John J. Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Forces. Born in Mabopane, South Africa, Mandla Dube is a docuseries director with an incredible CV of many films based on struggle, wartime, and strife. His extensive experience and passion for storytelling ensure that The Great War is a compelling and insightful documentary series. Dube also directed the hit Netflix film Silverton Siege, an action thriller inspired by true events that sparked the global Free Mandela movement. He was instrumental in forming the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC) as a co-founding member of the working committee.
This incredible story of General John J. Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Force, who was charged with training and deploying an army in short order, is not to be missed. Enter the soldiers Michael B. Ellis, a young man fighting with the Army's soon-to-be legendary Big Red One, and Horace Pippin and Henry Johnson, brave African American soldiers whose courage in battle helped their regiment earn their name, the Harlem Hellfighters. The Great War artfully tells the stories of these four men to show how an isolationist America slowly entered the World War I fray and, with their efforts, emerged as a global power.
The Great War -- Episode 101 "Into Hell" will premiere on Monday, May 27 at 8/7c on HISTORY. This episode begins in 1918, a pivotal point in World War I. After four years of unimaginable horror on the battlefield, the European Allies were practically wiped out and in real danger of losing to Germany. This precarious moment for our military was the catalyst for joining the European ranks as allies to aid in the war effort and European battlegrounds in France, with our leadership realizing that worldwide democracy was at stake.
HISTORY notes that viewers will experience this critical year through the lens of three character groups: General John J. Pershing, leader of the American Expeditionary Force, who is charged with training and deploying an army almost from scratch; Michael B. Ellis, a young man fighting with Army's soon to be legendary Big Red One; and a courageous group of Black American soldiers who will come to be known as The Harlem Hellfighters, earning France's highest battlefield award even as they face shocking racism at home and in the Army. Can they enter the hell of World War I – and survive?
On the second night, The Great War -- Episode 102, "Over The Top," will air Tuesday, May 28 at 8/7c on HISTORY. The fight continues in France, and as Germany makes an all-out push to claim Paris, we will see the lead American General John J. Pershing forced to make difficult decisions that will either break the Allies or turn the tide of war. HISTORY notes that during the infamous battle of the Meuse-Argonne, General Pershing laid out one of the most ambitious battle plans ever attempted. To the surprise of many, the U.S. Military and key regiments known as Big Red One and The Harlem Hellfighters helped pave the way to a hard-fought victory.
The Great War premieres at 8/7c on Memorial Day, May 27 on The HISTORY Channel.