- Actors: Laurence Olivier, Anthony Eden, Averell Harriman, Albert Speer, Siegfried Westphal
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 11
- Classification: Exempt
- Studio: Fremantle
- DVD Release Date: 25 April 2005
- Run Time: 1352 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00008WQ9Y
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
7,558 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
- #3 in Film & TV > Television > TV Series > World at War
- #20 in Film & TV > Documentary > Military & War
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
When this epic series was first broadcast in 1973 it redefined the gold standard for television documentary; it remains the benchmark by which all factual programming must judge itself. Originally shown as 26 one-hour programmes, The World at War set out to tell the story of the Second World War through the testimony of key participants. The result is a unique and unrepeatable event, since many of the eyewitnesses captured on film did not have long left to live. Each hour-long programme is carefully structured to focus on a key theme or campaign, from the rise of Nazi Germany to Hitler's downfall and the onset of the Cold War. There are no academic "talking heads" here to spell out an official version of history; the narration, delivered with wonderful gravitas by Sir Laurence Olivier, is kept to a minimum. The show's great coup was to allow the participants to speak for themselves. Painstaking research in the archives of the Imperial War Museum also unearthed a vast quantity of newsreel footage, including on occasion the cameraman's original raw rushes which present an unvarnished and never-before-seen picture of important events. Carl Davis' portentous main title theme and score underlines the grand scale of the enterprise. The original 26 episodes were supplemented three years later by six special programmes (narrated by Eric Porter), bringing the total running-time to a truly epic 32 hours. --Mark Walker
DVD Description
* PRIDE IN BATTLE – CITY’S GREATEST DERBIES 1969 -2005 The World at War was first broadcast 31st October 1973. This television series was able to assemble these recollections, together with archive footage.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
198 of 202 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When first made many of the people directly involved at high level were still alive and their views, with hindsight, are fascinating. Many ordinary people, from all the countries involved (except USSR - behind the Iron Curtain at the time) give personal accounts. Not a boring history, this wonderful programme gives a clear view of the build up to, the progress of and the problems after the War that had a huge impact on my parents generation. Look at the "men" involved. 19 - 20 year olds - its unimaginable today. For any one who has only a limited idea of what went on, this is very revealing and instructive without being in any way like a school lesson. To be able to watch an episode whenever you want to is a joy and this quality of production goes to show what drivel we are now being fed.
It also gives an intriguing insight into why post war Europe has become what it now is and the whole film is, in my view, probably the most unbiased account you will get of such an event.
It stands, shoulder to shoulder, with "The Great War" which is another epic production this time covering World War 1 and produced by the BBC. Both should be compulsory viewing for schools.
It also gives an intriguing insight into why post war Europe has become what it now is and the whole film is, in my view, probably the most unbiased account you will get of such an event.
It stands, shoulder to shoulder, with "The Great War" which is another epic production this time covering World War 1 and produced by the BBC. Both should be compulsory viewing for schools.
150 of 153 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The World at War never looked better. Digital re-mastering has made archive footage and colour interviews appear freshly-minted, and certainly justifies the upgrade if you already own the series on video. The sheer, moving quality of this documentary continues to deliver a powerful message over 30 years after it was made. The extra material is more than enough for the die-hard war documentary watcher. And it all takes up less room than one of those old plastic double video packs. Every world leader should be given a copy of this magnificent, essential series, and made to watch it before deciding on launching the world into another conflict.
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Will you ever be able to forget those haunting first bars of the theme song and the main title in flames? Or the various people (including the, it looks like, gaunt Jewish girl) immediately after the first credits?
I saw it first in the late seventies/early eighties when it was broadcasted in South Africa, and the unpretentious, though sometimes somewhat biaised views of the real people featured in the series struck a sensive chord within me. I've never been able to forget, and having the opportunity to actually own the whole series filled me with excitement - now able to watch it over and over again, making the whole series a part of my "general knowledge".
If it was possible to give the series six stars for excellence, I would have considered seven stars. As it is, I believe it is the best series on the Second World War ever developed and I cannot recommend it enough to all prospective buyers.
I saw it first in the late seventies/early eighties when it was broadcasted in South Africa, and the unpretentious, though sometimes somewhat biaised views of the real people featured in the series struck a sensive chord within me. I've never been able to forget, and having the opportunity to actually own the whole series filled me with excitement - now able to watch it over and over again, making the whole series a part of my "general knowledge".
If it was possible to give the series six stars for excellence, I would have considered seven stars. As it is, I believe it is the best series on the Second World War ever developed and I cannot recommend it enough to all prospective buyers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Completely Indispensable
Factual, unbiased, bursting with rich historical detail, beautifully directed and peerlessly narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier; this is the definitive WW2 documentary series. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Shrewlord
great viewing
This is how a documentary should be made. No unneeded background music or flashing lights. Menu fussy but easy to get used to. Read more
Published 5 months ago by a person of good taste
Brilliant.
I bought this for my father who is a Vietnam Veteran. Needless to say he is interested in all war movies/documentaries and this one, according to him, was exceptional and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Littlezee
Brilliant Piece of Work
Vaguely remember seeing portions of this series when I was younger hence the reason I bought box set even though I am not a historical buff. Read more
Published 8 months ago by TonyD
World at War is a must for every amateur historian's library
World at War is gripping, it is harrowing, and it is a stark reminder that evil only requires a fateful concoction of circumstances to emerge and destroy lives. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Niall O. Donoghue
Classic television series
Flawless. A must for all. It should be on the curriculum at every school in every country.
Published 20 months ago by N. Davies
Good Reminder
Being in my 80,s this series was a reminder of just what it was like to have lived through those times. What is more it is a very good insight of our enemy of the time. Read more
Published 20 months ago by David Jones
Brilliant
This world at war series first came out in 1973, I did watch a couple of episodes and was fascinated by what I saw but unfortunately was too young at the time to really appreciate... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Bisous51
a lesson
this is the series as broadcast 40 years ago without concession to modern technology. Just what i wanted so that i can watch it the correct order which i never managed on tv.
Published 21 months ago by J. R. Fitzgerald
Top-notch TV, unbeatable
I'm up to 1942 in the series and having remembered being scared by the severity of the unfolding human tragedy when I was a child it serves as a reminder of how catastrophic war... Read more
Published 21 months ago by A. S. Barry
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