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This biographical film from 1962 titled “The Big Picture: General Douglas MacArthur” celebrates the career of the American military leader and esteemed military strategist, who after taking the oath of service at West Point, went on to have a robust and lengthy career. MacArthur served as General of the Army for the United States as well as field marshal to the Philippine Army. He was also Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. The film, which was produced by The Army Pictorial Center and presented by the United States Army, pieces together archival footage as well as voice over by Walther Matthau to portray the life and accomplishments of the Army General. Iconic “Big Picture“ titles featuring rotating globe (0:16). Actor Walter Matthau speaks to camera (0:37). MacArthur’s historic speech before joint-session of Congress - Walter Cronkite as commentator (1:33). Young MacArthur with his father, General Arthur MacArthur, who fought in the Civil War and the Philippine Campaign during the Spanish-American War (2:24). Portrait of MacArthur from West Point (2:5!). MacArthur and classmates from West Point who went to the World Olympic Games (3:02). The end of the campaign in the Philippines (3:08). First assignment of MacArthur to survey lands of the Philippines including Bataan Peninsula (3:24). Chinese illustration - MacArthur’s studies of the “Far East” (3:40). World War I and the fight against the Germans (3:58). New Division of National Guard units during World War I and creation of the Rainbow Division xIii (4:09). Rainbow Division on their way to Europe (4:44). Battles from the trenches (5:21). Award ceremony - MacArthur celebrated by Secretary of War and General Pershing (5:59). MacArthur’s return to West Point on Hudson River in New York (6:13). MacArthur appointed Chief of Staff of the Army (6:32). MacArthur tours Europe to observe their military forces (6:54). Award ceremony in France recognizing his efforts towards the Allied cause (6:58). President Franklin D. Roosevelt appoints MacArthur to second term as Chief of Staff (7:37). MacArthur returns to Philippines to serve as their military advisor (7:50). MacArthur builds up the Philippines’ defense forces (8:20). Scenes from the beginning of World War II - MacArthur comes out of retirement (8:53). The Attack on Pearl Harbor (8:59). The Philippines under attack Battle of Corregidor and its importance in delaying further Japanese attack (9:32). Americans mobilizing (9:59). MacArthur carries on the fight from Australia (10:22). Bataan Death March of Filipino and US prisoners of war captured by Japan (10:47). MacArthur goes to New Guinea in order to return to the Philippines (11:15). Battles at sea in the Pacific (11:24). MacArthur develops a strategic plan of attack to take control of the Pacific (11:54-13:46). Japanese prisoners of war (13:59). Invasions in the Southwest Pacific continue (14:47). Map of key battles along the coast of New Guinea leading towards the Philippines (14:50). FDR meets MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz in Hawaii to go over strategy: Republic of Formosa or the Philippines? (15:15). Battle of Leyte Gulf (15:41). The road to Manila (17:38). Fighting in Manila (18:11). Civilians celebrate the return of MacArthur (19:01). MacArthur visits prison camps Santo Tomas, Davoa, and Cabanatuan and frees POWs (19:27). Closing ceremony aboard Battleship Missouri (20:22). MacArthur in Japan - social revolution towards western democracy (21:33). Interior of the National Diet of Japan (22:21). Invasion of Japan by military force from North Korea across the 39th Parallel - beginning of the Korean War (23:26). US and Japanese troops flown into South Korea (23:40). MacArthur as commander-in-chief of United Nations Forces in Korea (24:13). Inch'ŏn Landing (24:35). Seoul returned to its rightful inhabitants (24:51). President Truman applauds MacArthur (25:00). Entrance of Chinese Communists into the conflict (25: 21). Welcome parades for MacArthur in the United States - San Francisco and Washington D.C. reception (25:52-26:38). MacArthur’s retirement speech (26:55). We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
