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DVD Description
For the first time on television, this series tells the true story of Stalin’s encounters first with the Nazis and then with Churchill and Roosevelt and, consequently, their enormous impact on World War II and, later, the fate of post-war Europe. An enthralling mix of high politics – including the inside story of the Allies’ meetings at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam – and the dramatic personal experiences of those who bore the consequences of the decisions made by the powerful. Astonishing dramatic reconstructions carefully sourced from archive material, reveal how the great leaders decided the future shape of the post-war world. These decisions had immediate and often harrowing effects for those on the ground. Their story is told through documentary footage, dramatic reconstructions and illuminating interviews – including contributions from former Soviet secret policemen, Allied seamen who served on the Arctic convoys and Red Army veterans who experienced hand-to-hand fighting on the Eastern Front. Written and produced by award-winning film-maker Laurence Rees (Auschwitz – The Nazis & the 'Final Solution', War of the Century, Nazis – A Warning from History,) this series is a compelling new way of understanding the most secret and dramatic events of the Second World War. Special Feature: Interview with Laurence Rees Starring : Bob Gunton, Alexei Petrenko and Paul Humpoletz Documentary Director: Laurence Rees, Drama Director: Andrew Williams Written and Produced by Laurence Rees Sleeve photographs: © Getty Images (Stalin front & spine); © Corbis; © Alamy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
I loved every episode of the series. I admire Laurence Rees' approach to his work - every episode is exceptionally meticuliously researched, actors re-enacting historical figures are actually matching in their physical appearance the originals. I was astonished I could recognise Hans Frank, Governor of General Government in occupied Poland, in one of the actors even before captions with his name came. From that moment I was entirely convinced this is the series to watch. Good to know someone can be so meticulous about his work to chase around the lookalikes of historical, long gone figures, some of them of rather low importance. Another point was Katyn Massacre re-enactment in episode 1 - I believe it's a first time that horrendous crime was exposed in such a graphic way (except Andrzej Wajda's movie); technical details of execution show the highest level of professionalism in a historical research.
William Podmore's review seems to be biased. We all know the reality of Soviet Uniom, we all know abou terrible crimes Stalin and his stooges commited, we all know about scale of Gulag deaths, about Ukrainian hunger (Holodomor) in 1930's etc. We all know Stalin killed more his own citizens than Hitler. Stalin was a horrendous tyrant and one of the worst criminals in mankind history. It's undeniable.
So how someone can draw the conclusion that above documentary which only states obvious, in many cases well known facts to everyone, is a 'hymn of hate against the Soviet Union and Stalin in particular' is a total mistery to me. Well, I suppose some people still dream about communist utopia...
Five stars, that's my verdict...
William Podmore's review seems to be biased. We all know the reality of Soviet Uniom, we all know abou terrible crimes Stalin and his stooges commited, we all know about scale of Gulag deaths, about Ukrainian hunger (Holodomor) in 1930's etc. We all know Stalin killed more his own citizens than Hitler. Stalin was a horrendous tyrant and one of the worst criminals in mankind history. It's undeniable.
So how someone can draw the conclusion that above documentary which only states obvious, in many cases well known facts to everyone, is a 'hymn of hate against the Soviet Union and Stalin in particular' is a total mistery to me. Well, I suppose some people still dream about communist utopia...
Five stars, that's my verdict...
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Chronicle of the machinations of the highest political leadership in the European theatre of WW2
3 May 2009
Most people are familiar with the battles of WW2 to some extent whether they are aware of the outcome, the timing or the combatants involved. But there was another dimension to this war - the political. Only some people are aware of this dimension but it is only subsequent to the collapse of Communism that many new aspects have been uncovered.
This DVD commences with the unexpected & unlikely alliance between Nazi Germany & Soviet Russia which had as its aim not only to dismember Poland but to divide Eastern Europe into various spheres of influence. Despite diametrically opposed ideologies, the Nazis & the Communists found that not only that it was marriage of convenience but that they were like minded due to the similar modus operandi. Little known or recently revealed facts are presented to portray this relationship.
However the bulk of this DVD comprising 6 episodes, deals with the uneasy relationship between the Allies - Stalin, Roosevelt & Churchill. From the outset, this would be a difficult relationship due to the fact that Roosevelt & Churchill instinctively understood that they were dealing with evil incarnate but that in order to defeat another evil viz Nazism, they would have to consort with this devil.
This results in many awkward situations where the Churchill & Roosevelt have to avert their gaze & ignore unpalatable facts. One such case was that of the discovery by the Germans of the Polish officers murdered at the express request of Stalin at Katyn Forest.
As the western leaders had differing views on how to handle Stalin due to their fear - in my view highly unlikely - that the Russians would either be defeated or alternatively pursue peace with the Nazis, they pandered to Stalin. Instead of laying the facts on the line, both leaders pulled their punches instead of speaking truth to power.
Lawrence Rees has again produced an excellent documentary which illuminates the previous hidden aspects of WW2. As such it is without compare.
This DVD commences with the unexpected & unlikely alliance between Nazi Germany & Soviet Russia which had as its aim not only to dismember Poland but to divide Eastern Europe into various spheres of influence. Despite diametrically opposed ideologies, the Nazis & the Communists found that not only that it was marriage of convenience but that they were like minded due to the similar modus operandi. Little known or recently revealed facts are presented to portray this relationship.
However the bulk of this DVD comprising 6 episodes, deals with the uneasy relationship between the Allies - Stalin, Roosevelt & Churchill. From the outset, this would be a difficult relationship due to the fact that Roosevelt & Churchill instinctively understood that they were dealing with evil incarnate but that in order to defeat another evil viz Nazism, they would have to consort with this devil.
This results in many awkward situations where the Churchill & Roosevelt have to avert their gaze & ignore unpalatable facts. One such case was that of the discovery by the Germans of the Polish officers murdered at the express request of Stalin at Katyn Forest.
As the western leaders had differing views on how to handle Stalin due to their fear - in my view highly unlikely - that the Russians would either be defeated or alternatively pursue peace with the Nazis, they pandered to Stalin. Instead of laying the facts on the line, both leaders pulled their punches instead of speaking truth to power.
Lawrence Rees has again produced an excellent documentary which illuminates the previous hidden aspects of WW2. As such it is without compare.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
I am sorry W Prodmore has a problem with this series. It is one of the best of its genre for a long time. The re-anactments, sometime I normally avoid,have been very well done for a change.
May I suggest W Prodmore gets himself the DVD 'SOVIET STORY' and sit down and watch it. It will open his eyes a lot wider to the horrors of the Soviet System that murdered untold numbers, probably approaching 75 million during Stalin's lifetime of terror alone.
Remember always the NKVD ,later the KGB, ran training camps for the Gestapo, showing their methods of Gulag construction and running, and worst still, the finer acts of the cruelest methods of torture ever known to man.
May I suggest W Prodmore gets himself the DVD 'SOVIET STORY' and sit down and watch it. It will open his eyes a lot wider to the horrors of the Soviet System that murdered untold numbers, probably approaching 75 million during Stalin's lifetime of terror alone.
Remember always the NKVD ,later the KGB, ran training camps for the Gestapo, showing their methods of Gulag construction and running, and worst still, the finer acts of the cruelest methods of torture ever known to man.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another Amazing Docu-Drama
Laurence Rees never ceases to amaze at creating these WW2 docu-dramas and this is no exception. If you found 'Auschwitz, the Nazis and the final solution' of particular interest... Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. W. Hughes
AMAZING
ABSOLUTLY BANG ON,POOR POLISH PEOPLE GETTING IT FROM ALL SIDE,S,THIS WAS THE REAL CHURCHILL A MAN DEVOID OF ANY IDEA,S AND FEELING,S JUST AS WICKED AS THE OTHER PLAYER,S, BE AWARE... Read more
Published 14 months ago by A. Hussain
Deals within deals
I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who has any connection with, or interest in the second world war. Read more
Published 22 months ago by MrMichaelAnthonyKinch
Enlightening History
This film documentary just shows how people can be taken in by other people's history and our own. Polish pilots were told not to discuss politics(Stalin) in British pubs during... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Mr. L. Stringer
Stalinist Diplomacy
Despite Churchill's manoeuvring to preserve Britain's position as the arbiter of the 'balance of power' in Europe, the series makes it clear that Roosevelt and Stalin were going to... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2009 by Robert J. Wilkinson
Superficial and conventional
Television producer Laurence Rees unfortunately has an unscholarly approach. For example, he cites one Russian's memory of what he was taught at school about the Non-Aggression... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by William Podmore
Essential for an understanding of present day geopolitics.
If you want to understand the motivation behind British and American foreign policy in present day, this is for you.
Published on 13 Dec 2008 by Highlander
Behind Closed Doors review
For anyone with any interest in European History, this is a MUST HAVE. I am currently completing my A levels one of which being Modern European History. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2008 by Mr. TFW Spurway
Its good
I am currently performancing my dissertation on the Nazis and Stalin so this was a must have for me. Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2008 by N. Fisher
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