El Dorado Films

Following the tradition of military service in her family, Alene Duerk enlisted as a Navy nurse in 1943. During her eventful 32 year career, she served in WWII on a hospital ship in the Sea of Japan, and trained others in the Korean War. She became the Director of the Navy Nursing Corps during the Vietnam War before finally attaining the rank of Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Despite having no other women as mentors (or peers), Admiral Duerk always looked for challenging opportunities that women had not previously held. Her consistently high level of performance led to her ultimate rise to become the first woman Admiral.

Like all Israeli youth, Atalya is obligated to become a soldier. Unlike most, she questions the practices of her country's military, and becomes determined to challenge this rite of passage. Despite her family's political disagreements and personal concerns, she refuses military duty and is imprisoned for her dissent. Her courage moves those around her to reconsider their own moral positions and personal power. OBJECTOR follows Atalya to prison and beyond, offering a unique window into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspective of a young woman who seeks truth and takes a stand for justice.

A former U.S. Air Force air tanker navigator, Lt. Col. Ken Murray’s career takes us from the horrific accident that killed 70 people at an airshow demonstration to Operation Just Cause in Panama and to the Iraq War. Through it all, we experience air operations, post-deployment divorce, a new career as a famed sports photographer and new loves.

In 1991, John Heroux served in Operation Desert Storm, piloting one of forty F16 Fighter Planes sent in to target large manufacturing facilities deep inside Iraq. Looking back on these missions, John explains that pilots, himself included, felt no pride at causing destruction, but did have pride in serving their country and completing their tasks. This is his story.

"The Jock: a Montford Point Marine" unveils the harrowing yet inspiring journey of an American Marine from the segregated boot camp of Montford Point, North Carolina. Raised on the tough streets of Philadelphia, Dave Culmer is drawn to the Marines, enchanted by the impeccable attire and imposing stature of a local Marine. After being dismissed from high school, he finds his path leading him not to the widely known Parris Island boot camp, but to the lesser-known Montford Point. His path to becoming a Marine is fraught with discrimination and grueling trials that push him to his physical and mental limits. Amid the struggle, he learns resilience, embodying the relentless spirit of Montford Point that drove these men to exceed expectations set by a society that predicted their failure.

The Korean War saw three years of heavy combat take place on the small Korean peninsula, ending in a stalemate that remains contested to this day. This documentary tells the story of the Forgotten War from the point of view of the veterans that were sent to fight it.

In this short documentary, the life story of Buck Southworth as a U.S. Air Force aircrewman is told and narrated by his wife, Priscilla Southworth, now a Cemetery Volunteer at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. This is a remarkable and touching documentary about bravery, mission and love.

The story of Vietnam War veteran Tim Kochis, who earned a Purple Heart after being wounded in action. Kochis is a world-renowned wealth manager living in San Francisco, California. He provides some key lessons which led to his success and expresses his appreciation for the Veteran's Administration and their support.

"All Equal!" is an evocative animated film that unfolds around a village fire where a grandfather narrates the poignant tale of his ancestors and their enslavement to his eager grandchildren. As the story begins, the children are transported to a time when their great-grandfather and his brothers were kidnapped by slave traders. The narrative takes them through harrowing scenes of captivity, forced labor, and the oppressive lives of enslaved in the masters' plantations. It vividly depicts the cruel reality of children and women being exploited and mistreated. Amidst this hardship, the grandfather's tale reveals a powerful revolution against their masters, leading to self-liberation and the founding of their own village. The animated journey, rich in historical and cultural significance, ends on a note of gratitude and reverence for the ancestors' indomitable spirit and their fight for liberty.

Captain Pam Roark is a Navy nurse who shares her story about service, compassion, and leadership, demonstrating that leadership ability isn't a consequence of gender. It is a consequence of character.

Tiffany McKinley dismisses the stereotype of a single female personality in the military. For Tiffany, her interest in the Navy was activated by the spread of patriotism after 9/11. In the Navy, she manned the control centers of deployed ships.

John Baumhackl recalls the early days of the Vietnam War when more and more troops were being sent into combat every month. In 1968, John's number came up and he was drafted into the conflict. Buying a camera at his company store before shipping off, he captured many battles while in a helicopter. John was near the front lines when President Nixon made the controversial decision to push into Cambodia. In John's view, this saved American lives.

Lieutenant Colonel John Stevens served in both World War II and the Korean War. During the Korean War, he received a Bronze Star for leading his company in one of that war's harshest battles.

In the poignant and thought-provoking short film, a distressed mother, Velda, takes center stage as she recounts the tragic tale of her son, Michael, who battles inner demons after being sent to war. As she navigates through the gut-wrenching chronology of his enlistment on the eve of 9/11, his traumatizing experiences in combat, and his futile attempts at readjustment after returning home, the narrative unravels to reveal the silent and insidious toll of war on the mental health of soldiers. Compelled by her son's devastating suicide, Velda transforms her grief into a call for action, articulating her concerns about the military's approach to mental health issues in a letter to the president. This heart-rending short film underscores the often overlooked consequences of war, giving voice to those left in its devastating wake.

Relying on newly discovered archival footage, memoirs from the fallen, and expert commentary from scholars, this documentary tells the story of World War I from the American perspective: Its ace pilots, mine-laying Sailors, heroic doughboys, Harlem Hell Fighters, and courageous nurses.

In this compelling short film, we follow the life of a Montford Point Marine as he reflects on his experiences and the challenges he faced as an African American in the Marine Corps. Set against the backdrop of racial segregation and the horrors of war, the film delves into the Marine's journey from the initial days of training to witnessing the devastating aftermath of the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. From Korea to Vietnam, the Marine's resilience and dedication shine through as he recounts his harrowing encounters with death and his unwavering commitment to his fellow soldiers. Through his story, the film sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in the Marine Corps and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these unsung heroes. Ultimately, it becomes a powerful testament to the Marine's determination to share his experiences, educate others, and preserve the legacy of African Americans in the military.

As a new space age dawns, have women come far enough to go farther than they ever have before? This film tells the story of the role women have played in the exploration of Mars.

Alessandra Pacini, solar physicist and mother of two, has dedicated her life to researching our sun and its relation to the rest of our solar system. Traveling across the globe with her family, from Finland to Puerto Rico, Alessandra is on a mission to discover the great mysteries of our solar system.

Over the serene and verdant landscape of Northern California, a man with an everlasting childlike spirit lived his last years in a cabin. A story of friendship and loneliness, George Carl Wenzlaff was a Navy veteran and postal service worker with unique artistic talents and an amazing past.

On the eve of Operation Desert Storm in the first Gulf War, the Italian government deployed eight Tornado Fighter-bombers. Gianmarco Bellini was one of these pilots. He was shot down, captured, and abused, but returned and was able to rise to the rank of General.