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The World at War

  • TV Series
  • 1973–19741973–1974
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 52m
IMDb RATING
9.2/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,710
42
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The World at War (1973)
DocumentaryHistoryWar

A groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.A groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.A groundbreaking 26-part documentary series narrated by the actor Laurence Olivier about the deadliest conflict in history, World War II.

IMDb RATING
9.2/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,710
42
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Albert Speer
    • Averell Harriman
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Albert Speer
    • Averell Harriman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 104User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #16
    • Won 1 BAFTA Film Award
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Episodes26

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Photos54

    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Laurence Olivier
    Laurence Olivier
    • Self - Narratoras Self - Narrator
    26 episodes26 eps • 1973–1974
    Albert Speer
    Albert Speer
    • Selfas Self…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1973–1974
    Averell Harriman
    Averell Harriman
    • Self - Roosevelt's Roving Ambassadoras Self - Roosevelt's Roving Ambassador…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1973–1974
    Anthony Eden
    Anthony Eden
    • Foreign Secretary 1940as Foreign Secretary 1940…
    Siegfried Westphal
    • Self - Afika Korps, Rommel's Chief of Staffas Self - Afika Korps, Rommel's Chief of Staff…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1973–1974
    Lawrence Durrell
    Lawrence Durrell
    • Selfas Self…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1973–1974
    Toshikazu Kase
    • Self - Cabinet Secretariatas Self - Cabinet Secretariat…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1973–1974
    J. Lawton Collins
    • Selfas Self…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1973–1974
    Louis Mountbatten
    Louis Mountbatten
    • Selfas Self…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1974
    Wynford Vaughan-Thomas
    • Self - War Correspondentas Self - War Correspondent
    3 episodes3 eps • 1974
    J.B. Priestley
    • Self - Broadcasteras Self - Broadcaster…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Adolf Galland
    • Luftwaffe Wing Commander 1941as Luftwaffe Wing Commander 1941…
    Christabel Bielenberg
    • Self - Married to Germanas Self - Married to German…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    John J. McCloy
    • Self - Assistant Secretary of War 1945as Self - Assistant Secretary of War 1945…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Hasso von Manteuffel
    • Self - German Panzer Commandas Self - German Panzer Command…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Emmi Bonhoeffer
    • Self - Berlin Housewifeas Self - Berlin Housewife…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    R.A. Butler
    • Self - Foreign Affairsas Self - Foreign Affairs…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    J.G. Smyth
    • Self - 17th Div., Burmaas Self - 17th Div., Burma…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    A multi-volumed documentary mini-series, "The World at War" covers the entire history of World War II from the causes of the 1920s to the aftermath of the Cold War in the 1950s. Emphasis is also placed on several inside story episodes, where events are covered which occurred inside Germany and Japan such as resistance to Hitler, life in general under a dictatorial regime, and particular emphasis is focused on the Jewish Holocaust. —Anthony Hughes <husnock31@hotmail.com>
    war propagandasoldierworld war two soldiermilitary operationfailed military strategy132 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • History
      • War
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Albert Speer's testimony in the series is now considered highly unreliable. Speer considerably downplayed his involvement in Nazi atrocities. After his death a letter he wrote in December 1971 proved he had full knowledge of the Holocaust throughout its course, despite his repeated public denials.
    • Connections
      Edited into Screenwipe: Episode #3.1 (2007)

    User reviews104

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The Ultimate World War Two Documentary Series
    Although too young to remember the first showing of the series (being just a baby) I later caught repeats of it on television in the late 80's, just when I was getting interested in the war and all of its aspects. It was my grandfather who first showed me the series and also gave me my first interests, relating tales of his time in the Royal Navy at Malta and later in the Pacific. Since then I have devoured many books and seen many television series about the World War Two era, with mixed opinions. The British television stations are generally very good at producing these, as The World At War can easily attest, with many gems made by both the BBC and independent companies. I strongly recommend such titles as "The Nazis - A warning From History", "Blitz" and the BBC series about Dunkirk. "Britain At War In Colour", with its companion series "Japan", "Germany" and "America" are of a very high standard. The World At War is by far the best and, despite its age, never fails to deliver. There will always be new revelations about the war that will keep cropping up that obviously aren't included in the series and of course World War Two took place over such a large canvas that to produce a series with EVERY detail would take more time and money then any other, even if such an undertaking was even possible. What I feel I must say to those who decry that it does not include everything is that The World At War can't physically do that as a series but it sure as heck can prompt you to do further research - and make it enjoyable. That certainly worked for me: I now have a very comprehensive library of books, videos, DVDs and tapes and CDs. Recommend to anyone with even a passing interest. The series was so well made that they'd find it hard not to agree that it is quality programming and highly informative.
    helpful•56
    8
    • trickyascupart
    • Nov 24, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 31, 1973 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • French
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Die Welt im Krieg
    • Production companies
      • Imperial War Museum
      • Thames Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      52 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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