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The Great War is one of the most ambitious and prestigious series ever produced by the BBC. Drawing on over one million feet of film, hundreds of exclusive interviews and contemporary diaries and letters, this documentary masterpiece is by far the most comprehensive film history of World War One ever made. A truly epic production lasting over seventeen hours, it was surely the inspiration for A World At War, which it closely resembles. Narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave and featuring the voices of many other leading actors of the day including Sir Ralph Richardson and Marius Goring, this magnificent series is now available containing all 26 episodes, complete and uncut.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
This a marvellous collection from both a documentary and historical standpoint. It comes with a 63 booklet encapsulating the material on each of the 6 disks. It demonstrates what the BBC can do well. First broadcast in 1964 and it would appear only recently being committed to DVD format. It is superior to recent DVDs on the subject eg World War I in Colour and The First World War. Of particular interest are the interviews with World War I veterans both Allied and German combatants, at a time when they were far from being in their dotage. It is on a par at every level with The World at War.
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
I bought this DVD set after watching the World at War, a similar series on WW2. I was not disappointed. This has to be one of the best documentaries, and now that the first world war has passed from living memory, at least to the extent that all british soldiers who fought have now passed on, this is also a very important documentary. This is one of the few places to find first hand accounts of the battles in Belgium, Mesopotamia, and Africa etc. I found the criticism of the government of the time for failing to provide the necessary ammunition to fight a war rather telling given that the same criticism has been made of recent governments! Although I dont think todays soldiers have to make grenades out of old beef tins!
Highly recommended. "He who keeps one eye on the past is blind in one eye. He who ignores the past is blind in both eyes..." Not sure if that is a real quote but I like it like that. If you want to know the start of the story that leads to the modern British involvement in Iraq it starts here in WW1.
Highly recommended. "He who keeps one eye on the past is blind in one eye. He who ignores the past is blind in both eyes..." Not sure if that is a real quote but I like it like that. If you want to know the start of the story that leads to the modern British involvement in Iraq it starts here in WW1.
41 of 44 people found the following review helpful
The World at war is known as a landmark production in television, without doubt the best WW2 documentary ever made and this is well established.
The Great War is a BBC production that predates World at War by almost 20 years. A black and white documentary that follows the course of World War 1 in a series that puts World War 1 in the best context that I have ever seen and I often rewatch the episodes.
World War 1 is often passed over as a stagnant trench warfare, yet it was far more dynamic and it shaped the world as it is today, including World War 2 as is often remarked, the last bullet fired in World War 1 was the first of World War 2.
The documentary is different in style then what we are used to today but it has such class that I think it has aged very well. It also surprised me to see how much actual film footage was available from the war. It is heavily narrated and quoted with poems and letters of great men of the time but this is simply the way it was done then and the BBC have always taken their job seriously. To this interviews with veterans from the war are added and it becomes a rare insight into the first world war.
I have seen several episodes since about events of World War 1 but no series does the whole war as much justice and completeness than this series. If you are interested in military history then this is a set to be owned.
The Great War is a BBC production that predates World at War by almost 20 years. A black and white documentary that follows the course of World War 1 in a series that puts World War 1 in the best context that I have ever seen and I often rewatch the episodes.
World War 1 is often passed over as a stagnant trench warfare, yet it was far more dynamic and it shaped the world as it is today, including World War 2 as is often remarked, the last bullet fired in World War 1 was the first of World War 2.
The documentary is different in style then what we are used to today but it has such class that I think it has aged very well. It also surprised me to see how much actual film footage was available from the war. It is heavily narrated and quoted with poems and letters of great men of the time but this is simply the way it was done then and the BBC have always taken their job seriously. To this interviews with veterans from the war are added and it becomes a rare insight into the first world war.
I have seen several episodes since about events of World War 1 but no series does the whole war as much justice and completeness than this series. If you are interested in military history then this is a set to be owned.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Watching history.
The images of this documentary are truly amazing. This documentary was made almost fifty years ago, about an event that happened fifty years before. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Vincent J Diggins
The Great War - BBC Series
This was better than anticipated. Great documentary for anyone interested in the history of Euope. Delivery came quicker than I expected. Would definitely do business with again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mrpeter821
Subtitles? big question
Yes, every BBC documentaries have subtitles, so no worry about that.
All my bbc collection have it.
I,ve mailed to them once.
I know how fustrated it can bee. Read more
All my bbc collection have it.
I,ve mailed to them once.
I know how fustrated it can bee. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hanne Pedersen
A classic documentary series on World War I
This is regarded, quite rightly, as a jewel in the BBC documentary crown. It is a most informative and well-made documentary on the start, course, and end of the First World War. Read more
Published 14 months ago by The Observer
Subtitles?
Are there any subtitles included in this package? Please someone answer! I hope there are at least English subtitles there :)
I know this is no review but this kind of... Read more
I know this is no review but this kind of... Read more
Published 14 months ago by NN
BBC GREAT WAR SERIES
An excellent, comprehensive guide to the reasons for, the conduct of and the implications for then future of the First World War. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Simon the History Student
the great great war
This dvd is brilliantly put together as only the BBC (and Ken Burn's) know how. It will break your heart and it makes me wonder how anyone could possibly choose to go to war.
Published 17 months ago by rasher
A missed opportunity
To start off , this is the best overview of WW1 on Dvd you can buy. Considering it is almost 50yrs old now it still is as good if not better than historical documentaries made... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Pub Landlord
A magnificent series
The Great War (First World War/WW1) was a major divide in world history. It destroyed four empires and mortally wounded a fifth. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Teemacs
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