The World at War
1973 · TV Series · TV-PG · 60 min · ★ 8.3 · 95% critics
This landmark documentary series traces World War II from its roots in the 1920s through the global conflict and its aftermath. Using extensive archival footage and firsthand interviews, it explores major campaigns, political decisions, and the civilian experience, showing how the war reshaped lives across many countries.
Where to watch
Not currently available to stream in the US.
24 hours to watch · 26 episodes.
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Details
- Years
- 1973–1974
- Release date
- 1973-10-31
- Network
- ITV1
- Language
- English
- Rated
- TV-PG
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 8.3/10 (177 votes)
About
If you want a sweeping, human-focused account of World War II with rare voices and a serious tone, this is essential viewing; Not for you if you want a quick overview or only modern updates like World War II in Colour.
Pros: vast scope; powerful firsthand interviews; informative and balanced | Cons: very long series; some gaps and omissions; dated in places
Themes
- world war ii
- soldiers
- war
- veterans
- testimony
Cast & crew
Laurence Olivier
as Narrator
Directed by Michael Darlow, Ted Childs, Martin Smith +3 more
Episodes1 season · 26 episodes
Season 126 episodes
- S1E1A New Germany (1933–1939)55m
- S1E2Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)55m
- S1E3France Falls (May–June 1940)55m
- S1E4Alone (May 1940–May 1941)60m
- S1E5Barbarossa (June–December 1941)60m
- S1E6Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)60m
- S1E7On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)60m
- S1E8The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)60m
- S1E9Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)54m
- S1E10Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)54m
- S1E11Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)55m
- S1E12Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)55m
- S1E13Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)53m
- S1E14It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)55m
- S1E15Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)55m
- S1E16Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)55m
- S1E17Morning (June–August 1944)55m
- S1E18Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)55m
- S1E19Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)55m
- S1E20Genocide (1941–1945)55m
- S1E21Nemesis (February–May 1945)55m
- S1E22Japan (1941–1945)53m
- S1E23Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)53m
- S1E24The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)55m
- S1E25Reckoning (April 1945)54m
- S1E26Remember52m