The rise and fierce rivalries of industrial heavy hitters Henry Ford, William Boeing, Walter Chrysler, JP Morgan Jr, and Pierre Du Pont.
“The Titans That Built America” premiered on the History Channel on May 31st, 2021. The three-part series follows previous “That Built” programs previously aired on the channel beginning with “The Food That Built America,” followed by “The Toys That Built America,” “The Machines That Built America,” and “The Engineering That Built The World.” This latest miniseries in the lineup was presented over three nights with Phillip Montgomery directing all three episodes and Patrick Reams assisting on one.
Episode One: A New Generation Rises
Here we are introduced to the Titans one by one, beginning at the end of World War I, as the United States struggles to its feet, following the devastation of the conflict. This well-researched documentary begins with Pierre Du Pont, whose business grew exponentially during the war manufacturing munitions in his factories, and continues on with considerable background information on each of these rising titans, Du Pont, Henry Ford, JP Morgan, Walter Chrysler, and William Boeing. What I found fascinating, as my knowledge of their work did not delve as deep as the film, was the manner in which their lives interconnected as their business success mushroomed in the rapidly inflating economy of the “Roaring Twenties.” Du Pont created General Motors from which Wally Chrysler split off into his own company, Ford, Ford Motors, Morgan the great banking empire, and Boeing in the growing area of passenger airplanes. The underlying zeal of each and the intense focus and competitiveness they brought to their work, was highlighted by contemporary entrepreneurs, historians, and business executives who offered interpretations and details that expanded the significance from a current view. The script and the craft of the actors’ portrayals, give the viewer a deeper look into the character of these influential tycoons and their place in American History.
Episode Two: Titans vs. FDR
As the US falls into the Great Depression, the businessmen find themselves fighting to save their companies. FDR, however, places blame on each and turns to new entrepreneurs for help as he enables millions of dollars in federal spending to keep the country afloat. New “Titans” rise up but over everything is a rising threat in Germany that eventually cannot be ignored.
Episode Three: United They Stand
December 7, 1941, changed everything for the Titans and FDR. As World War II enveloped the US, the country’s military reported a severe shortage of almost all materials required to engage in that conflict. ASAP barely described the haste with which those munitions, vehicles, ships, planes, and technology were needed. Once again, though their enmity with FDR had not subsided, these American titans, in some cases, almost against their will, cooperated to assist the US military to win the terrible conflict and bring about what was finally hoped for to be a lasting peace.
I had not seen any of the previous “That Built” series, but after viewing this installment, I will be searching those others out. The concept of the series, overall, is brilliant, and “The Titans” captured my intense absorption from beginning to end. The writing portrayed these men in a way that certainly fit the description of Titan, with intimate details of their lives and the span of their significance in the business, economics, and entrepreneurship that defines our shared history. These men were uniquely creative and talented, infused with unimaginable energy, sharp focus on the goals of their lives, brutally competitive, and fiercely patriotic when push came to shove in 1941. The uniqueness of each was carefully described by the script, imbued by the actors in their roles, and interpreted by the commentary provided by modern-day counterparts and historians of that period.
This goes on my “Must Watch” list for all, as I believe genuinely in the need for every American who might have snoozed through Economics or American History or Business courses (who, me?) to be brought up to date on the important and extremely meaningful details that might have been missed. “The Titans That Built America” should definitely accomplish that and perhaps even prod you to look into their lives and times with heightened interest.
Now available on DVD
