The First World War (2003– )

A comprehensive survey of the history of World War I.

Stars:

Jonathan Lewis, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Andrée Bernard

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jonathan Lewis	...	Narrator (10 episodes, 2003)

Storyline

In 1914, decades of building European resentments and rivalries finally exploded into a massive total war that became much larger and bloodier for far longer than anyone could have imagined. This series endeavors to tell the full story of World War I, which was far more than just the trenches and includes war on the high seas and furthest flung regions of the world.

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Plot Keywords:

world war one | 1910s | tv mini series | number in title

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Genres:

Documentary | History | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

Primera guerra mundial

Filming Locations:

Amiens, Somme, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hamilton Film Partnership, Wark Clements

Technical Specs

Runtime:

500 min 500 min (10 parts)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

The Best WWI documentary I've ever seen.

I had to write this comment because the person whose comment I saw first was absolutely ridiculous, saying that this documentary is slanted and biased toward a British point of view. I disagree.

I watch everything I can about WWI & WWII, and have been repeatedly dissatisfied with most WWI doc.s because they are too few and often do not even attempt to take on the monumental task with such depth as did this series. Specifically, I recall thinking to myself several times how honest and objective the documentary was.

I came away from the series with an understanding of the gray aspects of all the sides concerned and their respective actions (sometimes ethically questionable, sometimes not - on all sides). This war was not like WWII in many ways, not as clear cut, not as linear. Each nation, each major player, had its own entry and mode of operating during the war, which differed as time passed. No one was clearly the knight in shining armor, nor does this documentary propose such a thing, though the players involved at the time may have. I dare say it would not hold your attention for ten episodes if it was not masterfully nuanced in its portrayal of this under-studied, seldom understood war. This series satisfies the desire to know the time line in much deeper detail, spans many countries, people, and reminds the viewer to try and see the story unfold from the perspective of the contemporary.

Wonderfully produced. A must see.

10 out of 10 !