The World At War

This 26 part Thames Television documentary narrated by Sir Lawrence Olivier is definitive in its field. Originally broadcast 1973/74, this extrememly well researched series used dramatic footage, and eye-witness interviews to tell the story of the Second World War. The only downside to this 70s series was that it was produced in the 70s and, therefore, some information was still classified (like the Enigma Codes) and not covered.
Unusually for me, I parted with hard-earned cash and bought the Special Collectors Edition DVD set so that I could feature it on the site, and I was not disappointed. With a total of 10 digitally restored discs, this is a comprehensive library starting with a Making Of... documentary providing information on how the series was put together and the challenges that the production team encountered. The 26 episodes of the series then follow, with numerous extras including photos, maps, speeches, episode summaries and character biographies. In short, everything you ever wanted to know, and a bit more!

Title B/cast
Details

A New Germany
1933-1939 31.10.73 After the humiliating defeat in the First World War, and emerging from a crippling economic depression, Germany embraces National Socialism and looks to one man to lead them forward, Hitler.

Distant War
1939-1940 7.11.73 The Nazi machines continues to roll on in Eastern Europe while there is an uneasy calm in Britain.

France Falls
May-June 1940 14.11.73 The French prepared for a second war in the same way as the First, but times and strategies had moved on.

Alone in Britain
May 1940-June 1941 21.11.73 After the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, Britian is left to face the onslaught of the mightly German army alone. The RAF win the Battle of Britain, but Britains cities are blitzed, and on the continent, her allies are conquered.

Barbarossa
June-December 1941 28.11.73 Hitler looks to Russia and after a succession of victories, the Germans make the fatal mistake of delaying, and the cold Russian winter sets in.

Banzai - Japan Strikes
1941-1942 5.12.73 The Japanesse had been at war since the early 30s on mainland China, and attack the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941 with the jope of an easy victory over the British and Dutch.

On Our Way - America Enters The War
1939-1942 12.12.73 The events at Pearl Harbour bring a hitherto reluctant America into the Second World War.

Desert - The War In North Africa
1940-1943 19.12.73 North Africa was a land made for war with vast open spaces for use of tanks, and none were better skilled in this type of warfare than Rommel and Montgomery.

Stalingrad
June 1942 - February 1943 2.1.73 Winter and the determination of the inhabitants of Stalingrad turn the tide of German advance, and Hitler suffers a crushing defeat.

Wolfpack - U-boats in the Atlantic
1939-1944 9.1.74 Of course, it is now known what part the cracking of the Enigma codes played in the defeat of the U-boats in the Atlantic, but at the time this was made, the information was still classified.

Red Star - The Soviet Union
1941-1943 16.1.74 After the initial defeats at the hands of the Germans, Russia was committed to total war and the destruction of the German war machine, although the cost was huge.

Whirlwind - Bombing Germany
September 1939-April 1944 23.1.74 The extensive use of aircraft took war to new borders in the Second World War like no other, and Britain and her allies were not slow in bombing Germany to halt war production and later to break moral of the Germans.

Tough Old Gut 30.1.74 The allies became divided on the stategy in which to invade Italy.

It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow - Burma
1942-1943 6.2.74 The Burmese jungle required a different type of warfare, one that the British army was not equipped for.

Home Fires - Britain
1940-1944 13.2.74 The cities of Britain suffered under the bombardment from Germany during the Blitz, but rallied to survive.

Inside The Reich - Germany
1940-1944 20.2.74 With the Wehrmacht triumphant and luxury goods in the shops, it looked as though peace was not far away, but the iron grip around the Reich was beginning to tighten and peace was far from imminent.

Morning
June 1944 27.2.74 The decision to invade Europe was taken by the Allies and England became one large supply dump for the British and American armies, poised for D-Day.

Occupation
1940-1943 13.3.74 The Nazi's occupy and rule the Netherlands for 4 years and the people had to decide where their loyalties lay - but there are no easy choices.

Pincers
August 1944 20.3.74 Although the Reich is not yet defeated, the Allies close, from the East and West, around a crumbling Germany.

Genocide
1933-1945 27.3.74 Any race other than the Aryans are sub-human and must be eradicated. The Nazi's embark on the largest co-ordinated killing that the World has ever known.

Nemesis
February - May 1945 3.4.74 Hitler retreats to his bunker in Berlin as his Reich falls apart, and commits suicide, while the Red Army raises their own flag over Hitlers capital.

Japan
1941-1945 16.4.74 The leaders of Japan believe that they have the strength to bend Britian and America to their will, but they are wrong...

Pacific - The Island to Island War
Feb 1942 - July 1945 17.4.74 Fighting their way across the Pacific, The Americans get nearer to Japan and the Philippines,a nd the bloodiest campaing of all, with the Japanese fighting to the last man.

The Bomb
February - September 1945 24.4.74 A new weapon of immense power has been created by Western Scientists - a weapon that could end the war, but should the Atomic Bomb be used?

Reckoning
April 1945 1.5.74 The War ends, slowly and messily. Britain is victorious, but exhausted, and the superpowers now have to confront each other to decide the fate of Europe.

Remember 8.5.74 For many, the Second World War remains the most significant experience of their lives, but many millions died.

In addition to the series there are a number of additional programmes:
An extensive interview with Hitler's secretary provides and insight into the private life of the dictator and his household.
A discussion on who actually won the war.
Interviews with many of those who were fighting for their lives on the front lines.
A profile of the early years of National Socialism.
A documentary on how the Germans coped with the mass bombing, invasion, and ultimate defeat.
The Two Deaths of Adolf Hitler - Years after his death, there is still some mystery about the death of Hitler.
and a two part documentary about The Final Solution, the programme of genocide that the Nazi regime embarked upon.

Title	B/cast	Details
A New Germany 1933-1939	31.10.73	After the humiliating defeat in the First World War, and emerging from a crippling economic depression, Germany embraces National Socialism and looks to one man to lead them forward, Hitler.
Distant War 1939-1940	7.11.73	The Nazi machines continues to roll on in Eastern Europe while there is an uneasy calm in Britain.
France Falls May-June 1940	14.11.73	The French prepared for a second war in the same way as the First, but times and strategies had moved on.
Alone in Britain May 1940-June 1941	21.11.73	After the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, Britian is left to face the onslaught of the mightly German army alone. The RAF win the Battle of Britain, but Britains cities are blitzed, and on the continent, her allies are conquered.
Barbarossa June-December 1941	28.11.73	Hitler looks to Russia and after a succession of victories, the Germans make the fatal mistake of delaying, and the cold Russian winter sets in.
Banzai - Japan Strikes 1941-1942	5.12.73	The Japanesse had been at war since the early 30s on mainland China, and attack the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbour on 7th December 1941 with the jope of an easy victory over the British and Dutch.
On Our Way - America Enters The War 1939-1942	12.12.73	The events at Pearl Harbour bring a hitherto reluctant America into the Second World War.
Desert - The War In North Africa 1940-1943	19.12.73	North Africa was a land made for war with vast open spaces for use of tanks, and none were better skilled in this type of warfare than Rommel and Montgomery.
Stalingrad June 1942 - February 1943	2.1.73	Winter and the determination of the inhabitants of Stalingrad turn the tide of German advance, and Hitler suffers a crushing defeat.
Wolfpack - U-boats in the Atlantic 1939-1944	9.1.74	Of course, it is now known what part the cracking of the Enigma codes played in the defeat of the U-boats in the Atlantic, but at the time this was made, the information was still classified.
Red Star - The Soviet Union 1941-1943	16.1.74	After the initial defeats at the hands of the Germans, Russia was committed to total war and the destruction of the German war machine, although the cost was huge.
Whirlwind - Bombing Germany September 1939-April 1944	23.1.74	The extensive use of aircraft took war to new borders in the Second World War like no other, and Britain and her allies were not slow in bombing Germany to halt war production and later to break moral of the Germans.
Tough Old Gut	30.1.74	The allies became divided on the stategy in which to invade Italy.
It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow - Burma 1942-1943	6.2.74	The Burmese jungle required a different type of warfare, one that the British army was not equipped for.
Home Fires - Britain 1940-1944	13.2.74	The cities of Britain suffered under the bombardment from Germany during the Blitz, but rallied to survive.
Inside The Reich - Germany 1940-1944	20.2.74	With the Wehrmacht triumphant and luxury goods in the shops, it looked as though peace was not far away, but the iron grip around the Reich was beginning to tighten and peace was far from imminent.
Morning June 1944	27.2.74	The decision to invade Europe was taken by the Allies and England became one large supply dump for the British and American armies, poised for D-Day.
Occupation 1940-1943	13.3.74	The Nazi's occupy and rule the Netherlands for 4 years and the people had to decide where their loyalties lay - but there are no easy choices.
Pincers August 1944	20.3.74	Although the Reich is not yet defeated, the Allies close, from the East and West, around a crumbling Germany.
Genocide 1933-1945	27.3.74	Any race other than the Aryans are sub-human and must be eradicated. The Nazi's embark on the largest co-ordinated killing that the World has ever known.
Nemesis February - May 1945	3.4.74	Hitler retreats to his bunker in Berlin as his Reich falls apart, and commits suicide, while the Red Army raises their own flag over Hitlers capital.
Japan 1941-1945	16.4.74	The leaders of Japan believe that they have the strength to bend Britian and America to their will, but they are wrong...
Pacific - The Island to Island War Feb 1942 - July 1945	17.4.74	Fighting their way across the Pacific, The Americans get nearer to Japan and the Philippines,a nd the bloodiest campaing of all, with the Japanese fighting to the last man.
The Bomb February - September 1945	24.4.74	A new weapon of immense power has been created by Western Scientists - a weapon that could end the war, but should the Atomic Bomb be used?
Reckoning April 1945	1.5.74	The War ends, slowly and messily. Britain is victorious, but exhausted, and the superpowers now have to confront each other to decide the fate of Europe.
Remember	8.5.74	For many, the Second World War remains the most significant experience of their lives, but many millions died.