For World War II students, this A&E documentary is a very worthwhile investment. It's from 1974, and the new release of other archives and subsequent documentation make this nearly 50 year old documentary seem a bit dated at times. Newly released materials have been restored, generally in color, and the analysis by modern historians is a bit fresher for modern viewers. However, this is balanced by the fact that, in 1974, many of the principal players were still alive and could be interviewed. We are treated to interviews with Arthur "Bomber" Harris, of Bomber Command, Traudl Junge, Hitler's secretary, Karl Wolff, assistant to Heinrich Himmler, General Mark Clark, of the Italian campaign, and many others, including Albert Speer, longtime inmate of Spandau Prison and Minister of Armaments for the Third Reich. Read full review
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This is without question the finest and most unbiased documentary on the Second World War ever produced. I was so happy to find it available on eBay.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Has lots of film footage I had not seen anywhere else. The narration by Olivier is superb. Since this series was made in the 1970s, many of the relevant personalities of the war (Speer, Eden among others) give interviews and personal perspectives. New sets are quite pricey, but used ones can be had much more reasonably. But a must for WWII history buffs.
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I absolutely love learning about history... The World at War series is a solid capture of history, at a time when Germany was executing and trying to destroyi the entire history of the Jewish population. The 26 episodes are riviting!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Greetings Dear Reader, This TV series, it must be said, admits it's own limitations....primarily how can an entire World War be compressed into 26 hours of documentary television. Mr.Jeremy Isaccs, the series producer, confirms as much. For what it's worth though, it succeeds in presenting the program's stated objectives. However the World At War must never be viewed as authoritative or comprehensive historical fact. It is far from the whole truth, or even partial truth. There are no outright lies or gross inaccuracies, but the viewer must not be satisfied that this is the history of WW2. It is a program heavily "Euro-centric" in it's scope & what little detail it presents. The Pacific, South East Asian and North African theatres of conflict are hardly covered to say the least. Detail on what is covered is scant and generalised. The efforts of individuals, particular military units & formations are all but ignored. The effect of one action or battle, for example, on the conduct of the next action or battle or indeed the war as a whole is completely ignored. These are just some of the many failings of the World At War series. The barbarity of the Japanese militarist expansion and the courage, endurance & sacrifice of Aussies, Yanks & their Allies who defeated the Japs is all but ignored. The significance of this as a presentation of WW2 history is a dramatic, indeed unforgivable, failing on the part of the producers of World At War series. For the new viewer, the current generation who remain all but ignorant of WW2, they will not comprehend the brutality & insanity of the Japanese regime, military & general population, a brutality that would have embarrassed even the German Nazis. To ignore this immense scope of WW2, relegates World At War to being predominately a worthwhile visual compilation of WW2 and not a worthwhile historical documentary. The program brings together a great deal of film footage that, if viewed along with an individual's personal studies on the subject matter, provides benefits for the viewer or student. The Great Generation of English Speaking men & women - Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Americans, South Africans & Indians, along with the great Russian peoples - who fought and defeated the hell-on-earth that insane Germans, Italians, Vichy French, Japanese and their collaborators unleashed,.....that Great Generation is rapidly passing into history. Along with the Great Generation goes their knowledge, experience, courage and endurance. Their deeds & heroism will never be excelled. Their sacrifice will never be equaled. They are immortal. We Will Remember Them, Lest We Forget. Thank you Dear Reader for your consideration.Read full review
If it has happened; then, it can happen. And, if it could happen then and there; then, it can happen HERE and NOW. In some ways, the documentary: The World at War is about “once upon a time called RIGHT NOW — except, the weapons weren’t as good; and, the climate wasn’t threatened by global warming. As you watch The World at War, start a checklist of the countries involved; the description of the political conflicts; and the resources being fought for; and, if it doesn’t make you need to change your underwear; then you just weren’t paying attention. One legacy of WW2 is an aphorism often attributed to Albert Einstein which essentially says that based on the technological terror crafted in World War 2; World War 3 would be fought with nuclear weapons. And, the next war waged would be be by people using rocks and clubs. I hope he was wrong. Watch this documentary and reflect on today. Those who don’t know their history may live to fight a war with rocks and clubs. If it has happened; then, it can happen. And, if it could happen then and there; then, it can happen HERE and NOW. Watch, study, and enjoy this documentary. This WAS who we were. Have we changed?Read full review
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BBC's indepth look at the causes and events that shaped WWII. The series uses a lot of original footage and holds nothing back. I would advise any adults watch the content before showing it to a younger audience. It is extremely graphic at times and may be upsetting to some viewers. That said it is an excellent series and worth the watch for anyone interested in WWII
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The World at War series is an amazing and comprehensive documentary. It covers the history of WWII from the causes of the 1920s to the aftermath of the Cold War and into the 1950s. The personal interviews and stories very much bring home the impact of the war on individual human beings (soldiers and civilians). WWII also was the first world war to impact civilians to a very large degree (loss of life, property, psychologically, etc.) and still has reverberations to this day and continues to impact current day societies. Approximately 45 years on and it is still one of the most definitive, touching, and thought provoking documentaries on WWII. Lest we never forget the World at War.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Memorable, but now hard to find, British series using footage from multiple sources to tell the story of World War II. One of the highlights is the narration by Laurence Olivier. The music is also fantastic. More important now than ever with neo-Nazism emerging, and historical education under increasing assault.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It is hard to compare this documentary series to any others because it is ONE-OF-A-KIND! At the END of the first DVD there is a an original "making of the series" special and I strongly suggest that a new viewer watch that first as it really puts the whole series into a unique perspective. the makers went out of their way to use only original film footage and never anything that was knowingly staged or propaganda material and saying so if it is. EVen the "making of" special (which was done originally, not recently for the dvd release) is one of the best "making of" I have ever seen. What is so great is that they broke wwii down not just into the biggest battles but to other areas, In fact, only about 15 of the 26 episodes is dedicated to major battles/engagements. The other 10 or so cover factors like political build-ups, civilian issues, etc. What makes this arguably the BEST WWII DOCUMENTARY ever is the timing of when it was made and the interviews within. They flat out state that they were against the clock as they did this. In the early 70's, many of the key people who had great things to share were starting to die from old age, especially those who were middle aged during the war. It is just chilling to hear former top NAZIS speak about their personal experience in Hitler's top group. Albert Speer, the "architect" of the NAzis is interviewed extensively. This is where the importance of watching the "making of" episode FIRST comes in. OTher interviews such as citizens and soldiers who were in the war are equally incredible. The most important thing about this documentary? It was filmed long before everything had to be run through a politically-correct filter so as to not offend anyone. The interviews cover the gamut of opinions during the war, even from BOTH sides of the "jewish problem". I think if it were made today, much of the great interview footage would have never been released because somebody could be offended. While there are some shocking images, most of it is just PG material. I would let a child down to maybe 9 or 10 watch it depending on the child but would absolutely be sitting there with them to discuss and answer questions. I think it would provide invaluable information for kids and young adults that could spark a lifetime interest in history. This DVD could be had for less than $40 delivered in brand new factory sealed condition and I would have probably paid DOUBLE that, especially after I watched some of the content and saw how great it is. HIGHEST RATINGS!! one of the nest deals for the money you can get for so much history and knowledgeRead full review
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