Siege

Plot

Siege is a harrowing 10-minute documentary that captures the brutal German bombing of Warsaw in September 1939 at the outbreak of World War II. American filmmaker Julien Bryan, who was in Poland on assignment when the invasion began, chose to remain in the besieged city to document the destruction. The film shows the devastating impact of aerial bombardment on civilian populations, including scenes of destroyed buildings, wounded civilians, and the daily struggle for survival amid constant shelling. Bryan's camera captures both the physical destruction of the city and the human cost of war, focusing particularly on women, children, and the elderly as they navigate the nightmare of urban warfare. The documentary concludes with the surrender of Warsaw and the beginning of German occupation, providing an unflinching eyewitness account of one of the first major civilian tragedies of World War II.

Historical Background

Siege was filmed during the opening phase of World War II, specifically during the German invasion of Poland that began on September 1, 1939. This invasion marked the beginning of the war in Europe and introduced the world to the concept of Blitzkrieg (lightning warfare). The siege of Warsaw lasted from September 8 to September 27, 1939, and resulted in extensive civilian casualties and massive destruction of the city's infrastructure. At the time, the concept of deliberately targeting civilian populations in warfare was still relatively new and shocking to the international community. Bryan's footage provided the Western world with one of its first comprehensive looks at the reality of modern urban warfare and its impact on non-combatants. The film was released in 1940, when the United States was still neutral in the conflict, and it helped shape American public opinion about the nature of the war being waged in Europe. The documentation of Warsaw's destruction became part of the evidence that would later be used to establish the concept of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Making Of

The making of 'Siege' is a remarkable story of journalistic courage and serendipity. Julien Bryan, a 36-year-old documentary filmmaker from Pennsylvania, had arrived in Warsaw in August 1939 to make a film about Polish culture and daily life. He was scheduled to leave on September 3, but when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, he made the fateful decision to stay and document what he knew would be a historic event. Bryan filmed from various vantage points throughout the city, often risking his life to capture footage of the bombing raids. He used a hand-cranked 35mm camera, which required careful operation even under fire. During the siege, Bryan lived in the Hotel Polonia, which was hit multiple times by bombs. He would often film from the hotel windows or dash out into the streets between air raids to capture footage of the destruction. Bryan developed a system for hiding his film canisters throughout the hotel room to prevent discovery by German forces. After Warsaw's surrender on September 27, Bryan was arrested by the Gestapo but was eventually released through the intervention of the American embassy. He managed to smuggle his precious footage out of Poland by concealing it in diplomatic pouches. The film was later edited in New York with Bryan providing the narration based on his detailed notes and memories of the events.

Visual Style

The cinematography of Siege is remarkable for its technical achievement under extreme conditions. Julien Bryan used a 35mm hand-cranked camera, which required precise manual operation even while bombs were falling around him. The footage is characterized by its immediacy and intimacy, often filmed from close quarters that put viewers directly into the heart of the destruction. Bryan employed various techniques to capture different aspects of the siege: wide shots showing the scale of the destruction, medium shots of civilians navigating the rubble-strewn streets, and close-ups that reveal the human emotion and suffering. The camera work is often shaky and imperfect, reflecting the dangerous conditions under which it was filmed, but this raw quality adds to the film's authenticity and power. Bryan's background as a still photographer is evident in his careful composition of shots, even in the midst of chaos. The black and white footage emphasizes the stark contrast between life and death, destruction and survival, creating a visual language that conveys the horror of war without sensationalism.

Innovations

Siege represents several significant technical achievements in documentary filmmaking for its time. The fact that Bryan was able to film continuously throughout a 26-day siege under combat conditions was extraordinary. He successfully captured approximately 10,000 feet of film footage, a remarkable amount given the circumstances. The film demonstrates early use of what would later become standard techniques in war documentation, including the filming of civilian casualties and the documentation of war crimes. Bryan's ability to preserve and smuggle the footage out of occupied Poland was a technical and logistical achievement in itself. The film's editing, completed in the United States, created a coherent narrative from chaotic footage, establishing techniques that would influence future war documentaries. The preservation of the original 35mm nitrate film stock for over 80 years is also noteworthy, allowing modern audiences to experience the footage in its original quality. The film's technical excellence was recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences through its Oscar nomination.

Music

The original version of Siege featured minimal sound design, reflecting the technical limitations of field recording in 1939. The primary audio element is Julien Bryan's narration, which he recorded after returning to the United States. Bryan's voice is calm and matter-of-fact, providing factual context without emotional manipulation, which allows the visual images to carry the emotional weight of the film. The narration was written based on Bryan's detailed notes and memories of the events he witnessed. In some versions of the film, subtle background music was added during post-production, but this was not part of the original release. The sound design emphasizes the absence of sound in many scenes - the eerie silence between bombing raids, the muffled cries of victims, the distant rumble of artillery - creating an auditory landscape that complements the visual devastation. The lack of a dramatic musical score or sound effects distinguishes Siege from many war documentaries of its era and contributes to its documentary authenticity.

Memorable Scenes

• The sequence showing a young Polish girl crying 'Why do they do this?' as she surveys the destruction of her neighborhood, which became one of the most iconic images of civilian suffering in World War II
• The footage of civilians running for cover during an air raid, captured from Bryan's hotel window, showing the panic and confusion of life under bombardment
• The scenes of medical workers treating wounded civilians in makeshift hospitals, demonstrating the resilience and compassion amid destruction
• The final sequence showing the German forces entering Warsaw and the beginning of occupation, marking the end of Polish sovereignty
• The shots of destroyed cultural landmarks, including bombed churches and historic buildings, emphasizing the loss of cultural heritage

What Critics Said

Upon its release in 1940, Siege received widespread critical acclaim for its raw authenticity and powerful imagery. Critics praised Bryan's courage in staying to document the siege and noted the film's unflinching portrayal of civilian suffering. The New York Times called it 'one of the most important documents of our time' and emphasized its value in showing Americans the reality of modern warfare. The film's nomination for an Academy Award reflected its recognition within the film industry as a significant achievement in documentary filmmaking. In later years, film historians and critics have continued to praise Siege as a pioneering work of war documentation. Its selection for the National Film Registry in 2006 cemented its status as a culturally and historically significant film. Modern critics have noted how the film's raw, unpolished style contrasts sharply with contemporary war documentaries, and how its lack of commentary beyond Bryan's straightforward narration allows the images to speak for themselves with devastating effect.

What Audiences Thought

When Siege was released in 1940, it had a profound impact on American audiences who were still largely isolated from the realities of the war in Europe. Many viewers were shocked by the graphic depiction of civilian casualties and urban destruction, as such images were rarely seen in American media at the time. The film was shown in theaters, schools, and community centers across the United States as part of educational efforts to inform the American public about the nature of the war. Audience reactions ranged from horror and sadness to anger at the brutality of the German forces. The film helped galvanize support for aid to European civilians and contributed to the growing debate about American involvement in the war. In the decades following World War II, the film continued to be used in educational contexts, helping new generations understand the human cost of the conflict. Today, audiences view the film as an invaluable historical document that provides an unmediated glimpse into one of the pivotal moments of the 20th century.

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