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The World at War (1973)

8.3 1 season 26 episodes Ended
DocumentaryWar & Politics

A documentary series that gives a historical account of the events of World War II, from its roots in the 1920s to the aftermath and the lives it profoundly influenced.

Watch S1 E1 Latest: S1 E26

Seasons & episodes

E1
A New Germany (1933–1939)Oct 31, 1973 · 55m

Germany, a nation stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from crippling economic depression, looks to one man for a resurgence of hope…

E2
Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)Nov 7, 1973 · 55m

In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the 'phoney' w…

E3
France Falls (May–June 1940)Nov 14, 1973 · 55m

France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Britain retrea…

E4
Alone (May 1940–May 1941)Nov 21, 1973 · 1h 0m

After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the RAF wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the continent…

E5
Barbarossa (June–December 1941)Nov 28, 1973 · 1h 0m

Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russian winter…

E6
Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)Dec 5, 1973 · 1h 0m

At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7th 1941,…

E7
On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)Dec 12, 1973 · 1h 0m

Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.

E8
The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)Dec 19, 1973 · 1h 0m

For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.

E9
Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)Jan 2, 1974 · 54m

Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the Russians e…

E10
Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)Jan 16, 1974 · 54m

In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.

E11
Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)Jan 23, 1974 · 55m

For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survives and t…

E12
Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)Jan 30, 1974 · 55m

Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and destruction t…

E13
Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)Jan 30, 1974 · 53m

Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany. By the s…

E14
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)Feb 13, 1974 · 55m

Vera Lynn sang of a lovely day tomorrow, but the war in Burma was mud and monsoon. Britain's largest army learned to master the jungle and…

E15
Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)Feb 20, 1974 · 55m

Finding strength in unity at home in Britain during the war, it was a time of gas masks, Winston Churchill, Dig for Victory, evacuation, Ge…

E16
Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)Feb 27, 1974 · 55m

Initial victory in Europe turns sour after the defeat at Stalingrad, yet Germany prepares to fight to the end - even after an assassination…

E17
Morning (June–August 1944)Mar 6, 1974 · 55m

The Western Allies resolve to invade Europe. England becomes a floating supply dump and the British and Americans assemble the largest inva…

E18
Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)Mar 13, 1974 · 55m

Through a neutral country, Holland is attacked by Germany without warning in 1940. During the next four years, life carries on seemingly wi…

E19
Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)Mar 20, 1974 · 55m

The end of the war appears close at hand with the liberation of Paris in 1944, but the British and Americans disagree on how to advance. Me…

E20
Genocide (1941–1945)Mar 27, 1974 · 55m

The Nazi's are racist; the Aryans are a master race, others, particularly the Jews are sub-human. Himmler's SS sets about ridding Europe of…

E21
Nemesis (February–May 1945)Apr 3, 1974 · 55m

Hitler retreats to the Fuhrer bunker is Berlin as Germany crumbles around him and his lieutenants abandon him to a fate of suicide. Meanwhi…

E22
Japan (1941–1945)Apr 10, 1974 · 53m

Initially apprehensive about the outcome of declaring war, the Japanese quickly turn to celebration with early victory. In the end, their w…

E23
Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)Apr 17, 1974 · 53m

The Americans fight their way across the Pacific towards Japan and the Phillipines. Perhaps the bloodiest campaign of all, each island has…

E24
The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)Apr 24, 1974 · 55m

Western scientists have developed a new, immensely powerful weapon - the atomic bomb. On August 6th 1945, the Enola Gay delivers the world'…

E25
Reckoning (April 1945)May 1, 1974 · 54m

The war ends slowly and messily. Britain is victorious but exhausted and the super-powers confront each other as they decide the fate of Eu…

E26
RememberMay 8, 1974 · 52m

For many the Second World War was the most significant experience of their lives. Heartbreaking first hand remembrances from a vast array o…

Cast

Laurence OlivierNarrator

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