The World at War

The World at War. It is a 26-episode British documentary television series chronicling the events of the Second World War. Produced by Thames Television and narrated by actor Laurence Olivier, the series features extensive archival footage and interviews with key participants, from soldiers and civilians to political leaders and military commanders. First broadcast on the ITV network in 1973-1974, it is widely regarded as a landmark in historical documentary filmmaking for its comprehensive scope and sober, authoritative tone.

Overview

Conceived by producer Jeremy Isaacs, the series was created to provide a definitive televised account of the Second World War, covering all major theaters and aspects of the conflict. The production team, led by researchers like Suzanne Davies, conducted over 300 hours of interviews with figures such as Albert Speer, Karl Dönitz, Curtis LeMay, and Traudl Junge, alongside numerous Allied veterans and survivors of events like the Battle of Stalingrad and the Holocaust. The narrative framework, shaped by historical advisor Noble Frankland of the Imperial War Museum, aimed for a balanced, global perspective, examining the war's causes, its military campaigns from the Battle of France to the Pacific War, and its profound human cost. The haunting score by composer Carl Davis and the gravitas of Olivier's narration became signature elements of the series' powerful impact.

Production

The production, headquartered at Teddington Studios, was unprecedented in scale for British television, with a final budget exceeding £900,000. A team of researchers and producers, including Martin Smith, scoured film archives worldwide, including the Imperial War Museum, the U.S. National Archives, and Soviet sources, to compile the visual record. The interviews were a particular focus, securing candid testimonies from high-ranking individuals like Anthony Eden, Arthur Harris, and James Stewart, as well as Japanese officials and German civilians. The editing process, supervised by directors like David Elstein, meticulously synchronized this archival material with the testimonies and Olivier's script, written by historians including John Williams. The technical and historical rigor set a new standard for the documentary genre.

Episodes

The 26 episodes present a largely chronological narrative, beginning with "A New Germany (1933-1939)" and concluding with "Remember" and "Reckoning." Key installments delve into specific pivotal events and themes, such as "Stalingrad," which details the brutal Eastern Front battle; "Inside the Reich," examining life in Nazi Germany; and "Genocide," a stark examination of the Holocaust and the Final Solution. Other notable episodes include "The Pacific" covering the attack on Pearl Harbor and island-hopping campaigns, "Morning" addressing the Normandy landings and the liberation of Western Europe, and "Nemesis," which covers the final defeat of Germany and the Battle of Berlin. Each episode combines strategic overview with personal testimony to create a multifaceted historical account.

Reception and legacy

Upon its initial broadcast, the series was met with widespread critical acclaim for its depth, objectivity, and emotional power, winning several awards including a BAFTA and an International Emmy Award. It has been consistently re-broadcast in over 100 countries, including on channels like the BBC and PBS, and is frequently cited by historians like Max Hastings and Antony Beevor as a seminal work. Its archival interviews are considered an invaluable primary source, with many interviewees, such as Adolf Hitler's secretary Traudl Junge, giving their most extensive recorded accounts. The series set the benchmark for all subsequent historical war documentaries, influencing productions like CNN's *Cold War* and the work of filmmakers such as Ken Burns.

Home media releases

The series has seen numerous home media releases, beginning with VHS formats in the 1980s by companies like PolyGram Video. A definitive remastered DVD box set was released in 2001, featuring restored picture and sound, additional interviews, and documentary supplements. This was followed by a high-definition Blu-ray release, which further enhanced the archival footage. The series has also been made available for digital streaming and purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, ensuring its continued accessibility to new generations of viewers and students of the Second World War.

Category:1973 British television series debuts Category:Documentary television series about World War II Category:Thames Television documentaries