The 1961 short film, "The Challenge of
Ideas", narrated by Edward R. Murrow, depicts the
ideological struggle confronting America and the free
world during President John Kennedy's tenure . . . that
was being fought . . . not on the battlefield but
through the words of diplomats, gestures of friendship,
cultural demonstrations, foreign aid, and military
power.
Famed personalities... John Wayne,
Helen Hayes, Lowell Thomas, Hanson Baldwin, and Frank
McGee also appear in this presentation to discuss the
conflict between the democratic and communistic
philosophies... a challenge that demanded the attention
of all Americans . . . and none more so than the Cuban
Missile Crisis that came to the brink of nuclear war
between America and the Soviet Union.
Film produced by U.S.
Army / Department of Defense
Commentary...
While the Soviet Union
dissolved into independent countries with Russia
becoming more democratic, "The Challenge of Ideas"
remains hauntingly relevant 50 years later (2012)
with even more global adversaries with diverse,
antagonistic philosophies . . . as America
experienced with the deadly terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001 to its homeland. There is another
difference too . . . as there are those undeterred
by a response that could result in their
annihilation . . . and who are willing to cause
events that could kill millions of innocent people.
It is an entirely different mindset today that is
characterized as radical . . . and entrenched beyond
diplomatic reasoning.
Will it still be so in 2061 . . . a 100 years after
"The Challenge of Ideas" was filmed?
The Challenge of Ideas
