Watch The Big Picture - The Army Nurse Story

The Big Picture - The Army Nurse Story is an emotional and inspiring account that follows the story of women during World War II who put themselves at risk helping soldiers on the battlefield. The documentary was produced and directed by Carolyn Jones and released in 2016. The movie begins with interviews from several women who served as military nurses during World War II. These women offer their firsthand accounts of their experiences overseas, from their reasons for joining the army to their encounters with the men they served. These women are warm and kind, and there are times when their voices quiver and their eyes fill with tears when they pause to remember fellow soldiers who didn't make it back.

The movie also delves into the history of how the role of nurses in the military evolved during this period. At the start of the war, women were not allowed to serve overseas in the U.S. military, but that changed when a volunteer outfit of nurses was joined with two Army field hospital companies to support the Allied invasion of North Africa. Women were needed to supplement the Army's depleted medical personnel and so the Army Nurse Corps was born. Women now had the opportunity to enlist in the Army Nurse Corps, a branch of the Army that would eventually send close to 60,000 military nurses into battle.

The movie features various archival footage, including gritty depictions of explosions and mangled limbs on the battlefield. The graphic nature of the footage is juxtaposed with heartfelt testimonials from the nurses who were there, movingly describing the smell of blood and the screams of the wounded, and the realization that there is no way to prepare for what they would see in the line of duty. It's impossible not to feel the courage, compassion and empathy of the women who put their own safety at risk to help those around them.

The documentary also stresses on how women in the 1940s had to navigate through their work and societal expectations. The nurses had to deal with the stigma of being women in a male-dominated military, as well as discrimination based on class, race, and ethnicity. Many African-American, Asian, and Native American women who served in the Army Nurse Corps were segregated from their white counterparts and relegated to underfunded hospitals. A large part of the movie is devoted to exploring these inequalities.

Despite the adversity, the film celebrates the incredible resilience of women who had to overcome discrimination and went on to create lasting legacies for future generations. The documentary features interviews with nurses who returned home from the war and helped pave the way for today's female military personnel. The women discuss how their experiences in the military helped shape their worldviews.

Overall, The Big Picture - The Army Nurse Story is a stunning tribute to women who served as nurses in World War II. The movie is challenging and must be watched with an open mind because the documentary does not shy away from difficult topics that are still very much relevant in today's world. The movie gives a voice to the unsung heroes of the war and highlights the power of women to make progress in the face of adversity. The documentary is historic, educational and inspiring all at the same time. It honors women who had the courage to stand up for themselves and their beliefs, and in doing so, created a life-changing legacy.