April 20, 1942 - 80 young American airmen are about to depart on a mission that will change the trajectory of World War II. Decades later, their children travel to China to literally 'walk in their fathers' footsteps.'

When Emmy Award winning documentary filmmaker Bill Einreinhofer arrived in China 30+ years ago, he had no idea that it was the first of many visits. Or would create dozens of nonfiction stories in and about China. China: Frame by Frame explores what he discovered, what he learned and the dramatic changes he witnessed. “Sometimes it’s difficult to put modern Chinese history into words, so I am relying on the pictures.” Those pictures include original interviews and scenes shot throughout China, as well as little seen historical footage found in perhaps the most unlikely of places: America’s National Archives and the Library of Congress.

The Battle of Shanghai has been described as the last battle of World War I, and the first battle of World War II. It was a warning to the world, a warning that was ignored. And it was the place where the destiny of modern China was set in motion. Based on the book “Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze” by Danish author Peter Harmsen, this film introduces key figures in the conflict, chronicles how the battle unfolded over the course of three months, and explores the aftermath and years of war that followed.