Instrument of War [DVD]

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It tells the true story of Clair Cline (Jack Ashton), a US soldier who was shot down during WWII and taken to a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp. Less a gritty war flick and more an intimate character drama with a story so inspirational that it's difficult to believe it's true, but it is, Instrument of War follows Cline, a trained musician, as he and his fellow POW's attempt to maintain their sanity in harsh circumstances.

Johnson has been a fan of Cooke lenses for a decade, as an AFI Alumnus and having worked as a professional cinematographer for the past six years.

Obviously no large orchestral recitals would take place here, but individuals or small groups of musicians would try to lighten the gloom.

Luxury items, such as musical instruments, were one of the first industries to face these restrictions. It was this confidence in Cooke lenses that gave Johnson the conviction to rent the 5/i primes in Lithuania, even though he had never used that model before. Now behind German barbed wire and oppression, Cline and his fellow POWs must find a way to bond together to not just survive but transcend. Sometimes there’s nowhere else to go when you run out of light – even with the high ISOs of modern digital cameras. When the bugle sounds, I have the feeling that I am building a bridge into the trenches of World War One to my grandfather.

We host a range of events throughout the year based around our collections offering the opportunity to engage with our work. Instrument of War Independent WWII drama based on the events surrounding Clair Cline, a US bomber pilot who was shot down and taken to a prisoner of war camp. On Christmas Eve, 1944, Cline played The Prison Camp Violin for the other POWs, and its story goes on from there.

The 18th Century is brought to life not only in the words of Christopher Duffy, but also of the perceptive diplomat Kaunitz, experienced generals like Daun and Loudon, Prussian spies and foreign attachés, a cynical Belgian prince and a young Italian officer, and many others. When a driven doctor doesn't get the prestigious position she planned for, she unexpectedly finds herself moving to a remote Alaskan town.The thing I liked most was that these airmen - well, at least one of them - showed genuine compassion for the civilians that died. The late Christopher Duffy was the foremost historian of the armies of the Seven Years War, if you have not encountered Duffy’s work, then you are in for a treat, Instrument of War is considered definitive, and essential reading for anyone interested in this period and a benchmark for solid history writing.