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The World at War

  • TV Series
  • 1973–19741973–1974
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 52m
IMDb RATING
9.2/10
25K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,902
116
The World at War (1973)
  • Documentary
  • History
  • War
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
25K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,902
116
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Albert Speer
    • Anthony Eden
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Laurence Olivier
    • Albert Speer
    • Anthony Eden
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 113User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated TV #15
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Episodes26

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Photos55

    The World at War (1973)
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    The World at War (1973)
    The World at War (1973)
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    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
    Anthony Eden
    Anthony Eden
    • Foreign Secretary 1940as Foreign Secretary 1940…
    Averell Harriman
    Averell Harriman
    • Self - Roosevelt's Roving Ambassadoras Self - Roosevelt's Roving Ambassador…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1973–1974
    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
    J. Lawton Collins
    • Selfas Self…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1973–1974
    Toshikazu Kase
    • Self - Cabinet Secretariatas Self - Cabinet Secretariat…
    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…
    John J. McCloy
    • Self - Assistant Secretary of War 1945as Self - Assistant Secretary of War 1945…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Hans Kehrl
    • Ministry of Armaments 1943-45as Ministry of Armaments 1943-45…
    Emmi Bonhoeffer
    • Self - Berlin Housewifeas Self - Berlin Housewife…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Francis de Guingand
    • Montgomery's Chief of Staffas Montgomery's Chief of Staff…
    J.G. Smyth
    • Self - 17th Div., Burmaas Self - 17th Div., Burma…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    Allan Francis Harding
    • Self - Alexander's Chief of Staffas Self - Alexander's Chief of Staff…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1973–1974
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    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 reviews113

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Best overall documentary of WWII
    My wife and I have watched this whole series at least three times. I can't imagine how it could be better. This isn't the "complete" history of WWII—no library could hold such a history—but it is the best summary of that history. Lots of detail, lots of personal stories, and still keeps the overall picture in view.

    Olivier's narration is excellently written and, of course, superbly given. The interviews are from all sides, except the Russian, because the producers were not allowed to talk to many Russians. It is very much worth owning this complete program on DVD. We treasure our copy.

    The producer's do an excellent job of providing pictures and action where there was almost none extant in any archive: There are almost no films of convoys and submarine battles, for instance, but still, the episode on this subject is very well done.
    helpful•73
    7
    • talley-1
    • Oct 13, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 14, 1973 (United States)
    • 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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