From British soldier Flora Sandes to the famed World War II Night Witches of the Soviet Air Force, women across the globe have stepped up to defend their countries during every major and minor conflict of the twentieth century, and filmmakers have long attempted to capture their stories. This book analyzes these military women's portrayals in world cinema, examining movies from multiple countries including Israel, the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States, Japan and more. It includes theatrical releases, direct-to-video productions, and made-for-television films. Chapters organize films by decade produced, and topics covered include the women's sexuality, maternal and marital status; leadership skills; actual jobs performed; and the accuracy of depiction. It also discusses how each film reflects the contemporary social issues of the nation in which it was produced.

From silents of the early American motion picture era through 21st century films, this book offers a decade-by-decade examination of portrayals of women in the military, juxtaposed with the realities faced by their contemporaries in uniform. A range of genres is explored, along with films created by today's military women about their experiences. Analysis of laws regarding women in the service is provided, along with discussion of the challenges they faced in the push for full participation as service members, and of changing societal attitudes through the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.