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The Ghost Army DVD

$24.99 $17.99
Item #: WC3752
The Ghost Army On the Front Lines of World War II, Illusion Was Their Ultimate Weapon. During World War II, a hand-picked group of American GI's undertook a bizarre mission: create a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the Nazi German Army as their audience. The U.S. 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, ... More
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The Ghost Army

On the Front Lines of World War II, Illusion Was Their Ultimate Weapon.

During World War II, a hand-picked group of American GI's undertook a bizarre mission: create a traveling road show of deception on the battlefields of Europe, with the Nazi German Army as their audience. The U.S. 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, sound trucks, and dazzling performance art to bluff the enemy again and again, often right along the front lines. This little-known unit's knack for trickery was crucial to Allied success in World War II, but their top-secret mission was kept quiet for nearly 50 years after the war's end.

Using archival footage and dozens of still photographs, paintings, and sketches created by soldiers, The Ghost Army tells the extraordinary story of these incredible battlefield illusions and the talented young men, many recruited from art schools across the country, who used their creativity to ultimately save lives.

Special Bonus Features include…
Deleted Scenes, bonus archival footage, an art show featuring works by Ghost Army veterans, and more!

Special features are not rated or subtitled

Producer: Nick Beyer
Production Year: 2013
Director: Rick Beyer
Narrator: Peter Coyote
Discs: 1
Subtitles: Y
Subtitle Language: English (SDH)
DVI: N
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

29 Reviews
C
Carolyn
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
02/05/24
The Ghost Army DVD
Review by Carolyn on 02/05/24 review stating The Ghost Army DVD
Great story
M
Michael
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/30/23
The Ghost Army
Review by Michael on 08/30/23 review stating The Ghost Army
An interesting look at the unique make up of a secret unit that preformed extraordinary maneuvers. A great story of talented, creative young men preforming exceptional duties in dangerous conditions.
S
Sharon
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/26/22
This was a gift to
Review by Sharon on 04/26/22 review stating This was a gift to
This was a gift to my sister....shes in Branson, and they actually had a balloon large model in the lobby of the IMAX theater complex. Thats how I heard about this Ghost Army to begin with....she and her husband loved the DVD!
F
Fred
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/08/22
Who woulda thought!
Review by Fred on 03/08/22 review stating Who woulda thought!
Excellent revelation of a virtually unknown program in WWII!
L
Lynn
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
I would by this dvd for anyone interested in this part of hi
Review by Lynn on 07/17/20 review stating I would by this dvd for anyone interested in this part of hi
My father was in this unit. He never could talk about it,so I found this very interesting. Jonathan Gawne also wrote a very good book on the Ghost of the ETO.
R
Rico L.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Great Program!
Review by Rico L. on 07/17/20 review stating Great Program!
16 November 2015 The institution of war produces innumerable opportunities for originality and creativity. This program illustrates the point!
M
Meme
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Interesting and education DVD
Review by Meme on 07/17/20 review stating Interesting and education DVD
I had never heard of the Ghost Army, until now. I watched it with my Dad, a WWII vet. Both of us were fascinated by this subject.
J
Jim O.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Incredible story The Ghost Army
Review by Jim O. on 07/17/20 review stating Incredible story The Ghost Army
Well produced... excellent documentary for any WWII historian
D
D
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
an exceptional documentary!
Review by D on 07/17/20 review stating an exceptional documentary!
My father was a WWII veteran and fought in Europe during the invasions in the 1940s. The Ghost Army was an ingenious plan by the american military as shown in this video. I have recommended it to my friends on Facebook and I do it once again here. You will not be sorry with your purchase.
D
Doc
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Long untold story emerges
Review by Doc on 07/17/20 review stating Long untold story emerges
I was utterly fascinated when I viewed this DVD and learned of this unit and its remarkable (and little known) exploits that certainly shortened the war by months. A most unlikely group of individuals, most of whom probably would have been unfit physically for combat units, whose exploits created so very much confusion for the Germans and which undoubtedly saved thousands of allied troops.
R
Robocm
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Great movie about Unique Deception WW2
Review by Robocm on 07/17/20 review stating Great movie about Unique Deception WW2
Great story about secret group of US GIs that landed in Normandy and were a unique unit dedicated 100% to deceiving the enemy. Using all modes of deception: visual, acoustic, radio, playacting, rubber tanks,planes,artillery,jeeps, and flash canisters, these 1100+ US GIs appeared to the Germans to be 15-30,000. Credited with many successful rouses as evidenced by captured German maps, this documentary chronicles the 23rd Special Troops from Normandy to the crossing of the Rhine. They apparently saved many thousands of US lives by keeping opposing forces in the wrong place just as the deception of the Normandy invasion kept the Germans at Calalis. Great story and film!
L
Linder
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Looks can be deceiving
Review by Linder on 07/17/20 review stating Looks can be deceiving
Fascinating look at an aspect of World War II that I did not know. It was truly ingenious what our soldiers were able to pull off to deceive the enemy.
A
Aod614
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
a mysterious army
Review by Aod614 on 07/17/20 review stating a mysterious army
I have not viewed mine as yet. The other one I ordered is a Christmas gift for someone so it has not been viewed either. Enjoyed on TV but did not get to watch it all. Am looking forward to a nite at home, eating popcorn and watching a GOOD movie.
K
Kiki H.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Such a great story, and so well told!
Review by Kiki H. on 07/17/20 review stating Such a great story, and so well told!
Rick Beyer has found one of those great, undiscovered stories and has told it with wit, charm, meticulous research, and cinematic flare. The Ghost Army veterans, a vanishing breed that Rick captured on tape, steal the show with humor and poignant memory.
B
Bob B.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Bravo Was that a real tank?
Review by Bob B. on 07/17/20 review stating Bravo Was that a real tank?
If every a production movie to be made in the mode of Saving Sgt Ryan. This would be a welcome topic. Just think a ipod the size of a half-track. The miltary importantance was unmeasured and not talked about. You cant do this today. Great production and a prize for anyone colecting WWII sotries.
N
Nicki
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
An excellent discovery never knew existe
Review by Nicki on 07/17/20 review stating An excellent discovery never knew existe
A fantastic show. Shared with my father who is a WW II Veteran. We never knew that the group in video ever existed. Have watched 3 times already. Sharing with other friends.
J
Jsh12
Anonymous User
1.0 star rating
07/17/20
Disappointing Customer Service
Review by Jsh12 on 07/17/20 review stating Disappointing Customer Service
I managed to see only the last few minutes of The Ghost Army broadcast. I ordered the PBS dvd online. It was lost by UPS. I contacted them and was told PBS would have to call to start an investigation. The woman in PBS Customer Service was quite polite, helpful, and began the process to re-send the DVD. I asked if there was an option to sending through UPS because of other delivery problems (to a single family home in a residential neighborhood) and she said it could be done through FEDEX. GREAT! Three days later on a Sunday I received and returned a call from PBS Customer Service. I was told the dvd had not yet been shipped (it was expected the next day) and that FEDEX was not an option. It would be sent and delivery was now expected in three days. I will investigate other options before ordering products from PBS in the future.
G
Grandma1
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
The Ghost Army
Review by Grandma1 on 07/17/20 review stating The Ghost Army
I wanted to see more. I was amazed to learn about this top secret unit and its exploits during the latter stages of WWII. When will it be shown again?
G
2booked B.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Great History Lesson
Review by 2booked B. on 07/17/20 review stating Great History Lesson
I bought this as a gift for my 97 year old father who was part of the 23 rd Division. He learned just how close they had been to being bombed in Luxembourg. i had no idea he had had such an adventurous time in the army. Thank you, PBS !
F
Fritzo
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Outstanding Documentary
Review by Fritzo on 07/17/20 review stating Outstanding Documentary
My dad was also a proud member of this unit. In 1995 we retraced his steps through Europe, priceless!! These 1100 folks were the best of the best. God Speed 23rd HQ Special Troops. Remember them on Memorial Day.

Highlighted Customer Reviews


M
Mort's D. reviewed The Ghost Army DVD
5 star rating
Congratulations Rick Byer!
Review by Mort's D. review stating Congratulations Rick Byer!
Congratulations to Rick for telling the story of the Ghost Army. My father was part of this classified unit whose story deserved to be told on film. There are a few books that cover some of this material, but Rick has perservered over eight years to make this comprehensive documentary. I look forward to seeing the extra material on the DVD.
A
Avhollie reviewed The Ghost Army DVD
5 star rating
Learned something I did not know
Review by Avhollie review stating Learned something I did not know
Once again PBS educates and its never boring!!
A
Amy reviewed The Ghost Army DVD
5 star rating
Fascinating Documentary!
Review by Amy review stating Fascinating Documentary!
Ive watched many World War II documentaries, and this one is outstanding. Id never heard of the Ghost Army before, so it was a great learning experience. I had no idea our military could be so creative... and it worked! I highly recommend Ghost Army to anyone with any interest in WWII and history!

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