In 1943, during the second world war, a German film archive disappears/disappeared.

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dansynek

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Hi,

I am trying to find the right form at the end of this sentence.

In 1943, during the second world war, a German film archive disappears/disappeared.

To me (non native) both sounds good. Using "disappears" sounds a bit more dramatic, while disappeared sounds more dry and academic. I want to use the sentence in a summary of a film, so I am leaning towards disappears.

My questions are:
1. Are both correct (and I would appreciate a reference to a rule if there is one)
2. If they are correct, is my feeling for the different use in the right direction?
Thanks
Dan
 

Rover_KE

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The use of the historical present tense is fine and very common in a film/book synopsis.

It can become tiresome in a long historical narrative, so should be used sparingly.

(Capitalise Second World War.)

Rover
 
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