The Hello Girls is a captivating documentary film that reveals the untold story of the women telephone operators of World War I. Directed by James Theres, the film takes a closer look at the lives of the young women who were recruited by General John Pershing to serve as bilingual French and English-speaking telephone operators during the war.
The film begins by showing the historical context of the times in which this incredible story takes place. It highlights the fact that women's participation in the workforce was strongly discouraged, if not outright forbidden, at the time. However, with the need for telephone operators, the army realized it had no choice but to recruit women. The phone was a crucial mode of communication during the war, and the military needed operators who could communicate with the French army and coordinate the troops.
The Hello Girls documentary highlights the harrowing experiences that these women had to go through. Many of them had to leave their families and go to war grounds. For some, it was their first time leaving their hometowns, and they were shipped to France. The filmmakers went to great lengths to find primary sources and archive footage that help bring the experience of these women to life. They combine this with interviews with historians, family members of the Hello Girls, and with the few surviving women who served during the war.
The film provides a riveting history of these women, their hard work and their struggles, and their remarkable contribution to the war effort. Despite their incredible work, the women faced discrimination, disrespect, and unequal compensation. Unlike the men who served as telephone operators, the women were part of the civilian army corps, which meant they received no veteran benefits or chance at military honors. It took almost a century for their contribution to be recognized by the US Government.
However, the film is not only about their struggle, but it also sets a tone of inspiration. Despite all the challenges, these women persevered through the prejudice they faced and protected the lives of thousands of soldiers through their work. They showed enormous bravery, resilience, and adaptability in the face of adversity.
The Hello Girls' cinematography is fantastic, and the film is visually stunning, featuring beautiful shots of the French countryside and war-torn trenches. The cinematography makes the film stand out. The music is also good in capturing the mood of the times.
In conclusion, the Hello Girls is a remarkable documentary about a group of pioneering women whose contributions to the US military have been overlooked for almost a century. It is a must-watch film for fans of history, women's rights, and war-themed documentaries. The recognition of these women by the U.S. Congress in 2018 was evidence of their significant contribution to World War I. And it is proof that our appreciation for the unsung heroes of history continues to grow.
The Hello Girls is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 55 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.
