Through My Sights: A Gunner's View of WWII is a riveting, historical documentary that brings to life the raw and brutal realities of the Second World War from an airman's perspective. Directed by Glenn L. Kappelman, the film features Art Barkis, a veteran B-17 gunner, who unveils his personal experiences during the war.

Art Barkis, the charming American war veteran at the heart of this film, navigates us through his journey as a 19-year-old airman, battling skies over Europe in the B-17, a famed heavy bomber used by the United States during the World War II era. Barkis’ personal anecdotes and memories from the war serve as an eye-opening and raw narration about the struggles and triumphs of the ordinary soldiers amid the world's most devastating war.

Director Kappelman uses the veteran's account as the foundation and incorporates an array of archival footage, photographs and personal artifacts owned by Barkis to help depict the thrilling, panoramic and sobering vision of the air-war of WWII. Through artillery fire, threats of enemy fighters, and the fear of being shot down, the audience has the privilege to bear witness to the exhilarating and terrifying experience of an air gunner over Nazi-occupied Europe, providing an intimate understanding of what these young men faced while slipping the ‘surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God’.

Art Barkis provides riveting details about the physical and psychological effects of the war through his immersive storytelling. He explains the intricacies of the B-17 bomber, the intricate teamwork it required, the strategies used in air combat, the intricate machinery, and the unshakeable bond developed among the crew members. Barkis’ candid personality is a highlight, as it draws the audience into his world of war-torn anxiety, outright fear, and relentless resilience, blending grim reality with a hint of nostalgia, humor, and a substantial dose of humanity.

However, Through My Sights: A Gunner's View of WWII is not just about the highs and lows, the battles and victories. It is also about the inward journey of these men – how they cope with the aftermath of the war, their return to civilian life and the scars that were left behind. Navigating PTSD, survivor’s guilt, and desolation, the film emphasizes their mental journey, reminding the audience of the often-overlooked internal battles fought long after the guns have been silenced.

There’s also a keen emphasis on impact, not just on the individual, but society at large. Director Kappelman delves into the political, social, and global ramifications of the war and how it brought about pivotal changes in world history. He neatly intertwines these insights with Barkis' personal journey, juxtaposing worldwide events with an individual's story, thereby highlighting the brutal macrocosm that was WWII beyond the obvious.

In addition, through Barkis, the film pays tribute to the thousands of fallen comrades who didn’t make it back home, their stories serving as a perpetuation of their memory and the ultimate sacrifice they made. There is profound respect to these men voiced throughout the film, a poignant salute to their undying bravery.

Glenn L. Kappelman uses his keen directors eye and gripping storytelling to bring Through My Sights: A Gunner's View of WWII to life. What makes this film a must-watch is not just the promise of an adrenaline rush or the technicalities of the war but also the raw human emotions that run beneath the surface. It paints a vivid and personal picture of a war that changed the course of human history, told through an eyewitness’s perspective, where not only the terror but also the tenacity, camaraderie, and heroism are palpable to the audience.

An engaging rollercoaster of emotions, the movie effectively uses an airman's anecdotal oral history to craft a documentary that delves deeper into the human aspect of the war, leaving the audience with a newfound respect for the resilience of those who fought for freedom in the deadliest war. It’s an authentic account that broadens our understanding of history, explores the meshing of personal and global narratives, and ultimately underscores the importance of remembering the past to navigate the future.