World War II: From the Frontlines (TV Mini Series 2023) Poster

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8/10
Manage your expectations
gemmaanddustin24 December 2023
Most of the negative reviews have mistakenly thought something as complex as world war 2 can be covered in 6 episodes. They seem to compare this to The World at War which is detailed and 26 episodes long. This is 6. It's emotive with the interviews of people who experienced the war and the black and white footage restored with color adds to that emotion. Some complain of the narration. It's no Laurence Olivier. I would say to those who have marked it low, manage your expectations of what can be showed and explored in 6 episodes of a Netflix documentary for a war spanning years. I don't think the intention was to condense the accuracy of The World at War into 6 episodes.
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8/10
Nothing wrong with narration..
skottkerr1 April 2024
Lots of bad reviews saying how inaccurate this was. So and so didn't give up, we didn't surrender . The fact of the matter is that none of this should happen ever. Not one country comes out looking good, just varying levels of barbarism. Do I have a favourite (spoiler alert yes!)Who you end up supporting is probably closest to where you were born.

Restoration was amazing though I do fear there were some cutaways that were filmed for this, but hey that's a little fear given the subject matter..I think Netflix were fairly upfront that they were cutting different bits together so no concern there.
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8/10
World At War Lite!
jbvbddtp9 December 2023
I have watched a great many documentary series on WW2 & also read a great deal on the subject. Far from being an expert on the matter I do however enjoy watching new material so thought I'd give this long awaited series a try.

The colourisation is pretty well done. It does look a bit off sometimes but generally it holds up nicely. Much of the footage you may well have seen before but it's all knitted together extremely well and while not exactly on the epic scale of World At War it does cover the basics quite well. That being said there are a few historical inaccuracys that don't detract from the overall retelling of such a monumental period in our history.

This isn't a "deep dive" into the causes and consequences of the war - it's far too short to do that. It is a good overview of some of the key moments of the war retold by some of the people who were there. Some of these survivors stories are utterly heartbreaking, particularly the young Jewish girl who survived a Nazi labour camp.

Now let's talk about the elephant in the room!!! You may well have read a number of reviews on here criticising the choice and style of the narrator. In my opinion John Boyega does a fine job with his succinct and matter of fact style. Ok so it's not Sir Lawrence Olivier but then who is? The script is straight forward and his delivery is perfectly ok. It certainly doesn't spoil it for me and some reviewers would do better to examine their own shortcomings based upon some of their comments.

If you like WW2 documentaries that aren't too "deep" and tell the tale that needed telling then give this a watch. If you want to know every tiny historic detail then watch the World At War. 👍
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10/10
Immersive
bensnape7 December 2023
The colorisation of archived footage is really done well. Similar things have been done before, but not quite on this level.

Yes, the narrative is very basic / introductory, but for some audiences (eg school students) this will be perfect. It doesn't need to be advanced to be a good documentary.

For me, the real attraction and power of this series is the way it brings the war to life. It must have taken a lot of work to optimise the footage in terms of speed, colour and frame rate. The outcome is better than any remastering I've seen before. The overall flow of the documentary is good, and the way the story is interspersed with commentary from veterans or civilians works well.
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10/10
Not everything is for you
abishop-971648 December 2023
If you feel that this series insults your intelligence, maybe you are not the target audience. This series is an engaging way to familiarize students and non-WWII buffs with some of the events and emotions of one of the most influential eras in modern history - without making it feel like ancient history. If you are somehow offended by its simplicity, or the fact that there is nothing you didn't already know, or that the narrator doesn't sound like all of the other WWII documentary narrators you've heard, maybe reframe your expectations and try watching it through a different lens - or don't watch it at all. I'm going to recommend it to everyone I know.
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8/10
Im Spite of Possible Inaccuracies, I Truly Enjoyed This
dhutson-805119 December 2023
I binged this series. What I enjoyed the most was the ability to show every country's suffering, in spite of what we may have been told or read growing up; it reminds you that suffering came from all over the world and that many didn't want to fight, but had a duty. Watching the footage and knowing this was actual footage, and actual accounts by those enduring the war was what touched me the most. It is important that documentaries like these are continued to be made so that we remember how people suffer , and continue to suffer in this world. Other reviewers have mentioned that there are historical inaccuracies in the series, I cannot attest to this, but it definitely leaves the viewer with a lot of questions. But again, if you want to learn more or verify, you have the ability to do that , this series was a good way to get witnesses' accounts of the war.
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Fantasy Second World War by one of de bros
haarhopkins15 December 2023
Some of the colourised film was interesting, but the thread seemed to double back on itself from time to time. The narrative was thin and delivered very poorly. It comes from the mouth of someone whose second language is English and who suffers from seeming not to have a first one. The Luftwaffe was mispronounced, as was the Third "Rike". Surely, if you are going to narrate a programme, you should find out how to pronounce the words you are going to utter? I also noticed such beauties as "Nawf Africah"; "in the middoow"; "forcin' the British out" and many other examples of poor English. The narrator sounds as if he is either foreign, or from some inner-city estate near London. Why not use someone British with clear enunciation to do the commentary, like Robert Powell? As it is the commentary was a constant irritant. I'd do it myself, if it comes down to it. I've done it before.

What I have seen is superficial, incorrect and minimises the people who prevented Hitler winning, which is us British. Why, they have a former Luftwaffe pilot telling us that German pilots at the Battle of Britain were better than the British! Really? How come we won, then? Inclusion of that opinion was singularly pointless, as was a comment by a former German soldier about the racial inferiority of the Russians. This was not stated as a historic opinion, by the way. The focus on the Nazis and race is not the point of the programme, surely? The main point should be on what the War was about: battlefields; victories; defeats; the order of battle; conquest and so forth. The programme is called "World War II: From the Frontlines", after all. There is no analysis of why there was a war at all, which is central to the whole thing and should have been the starting point. Otherwise, it suggests that Germany (or Hitler) just thought a war sounded like a fun idea and would let him be driven around in front of adoring crowds, sticking his arm out. There is no contrary opinion to the German idea expressed in the programme that the Poles were asking for it and were going to get it. No, they weren't. There was a fake attack on a German radio station used as an excuse to invade Poland. No mention was made of that.

There is no mention of Italy getting pasted by the Greeks and how Hitler had to send troops in support to conquer Greece (or about British support of the Greeks), which meant taking seasoned divisions out of the attack on Russia. That was important. No mention of the Soviets' criminal act in also attacking Poland in 1939, along with the Germans. There is the constant talk of "Nazis", as if there was a nation called "the Nazis". It was a war against Germany and on VE Day, in Trafalgar Square, it was made abundantly clear that it was victory over Germany.

Netflix, if you are going to make a programme about history, then get your act together and don't try to rubbish the guys who kept fighting when everyone else had been conquered, were neutral, or allied to Germany. Those guys were the British. All America did was to sell us weapons and let us do the fighting. Americans wanted no part in the War, thank you very much. Canada gave us food without charge and when Europe was invaded on D Day, the majority of troops involved were British and Canadian, not American.
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9/10
Excellent for what it is
uncmick14 December 2023
Wow, so many negative reviews from the 'history experts of WWII'. Historical inaccuracies, so many things left out, subtleties missed, and on & on. How is it these brilliant minds seem to not recognize the whole point of this documentary: to restore and colorize archival film from the war to put together a reasonable (if simplistic) and engaging review of the war and to bring it to life again ( perhaps in a way it hasn't been done before except in fiction). That there may not be archival footage for many of the events left out or many of the subtleties should not be surprising. And what's up with the narration complaints? I honestly have no clue what these people are really talking about. I think that the average person with an interest in a more realistic view of the war will enjoy this. Post- grad history majors, perhaps not so much.
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9/10
A must watch.
hbrackley9 December 2023
An amazing watch. Footage I've not seen before (my only criticism is being Gen X, I'm used to black and white and found the colourisation a little jarring) Also please ignore the negative reviews, they are either due to, 1) never actually watching it, 2) offended by people of colour being acknowledged, 3) fascist leanings. Shocking at times, so please be aware you'll see real footage of bodies and people being injured and killed. But as we are vast approaching an age of having no one alive with living memory of these events, all their stories need to be told and documented. There is no excuse for anyone not being aware of this war.
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6/10
Basic and inaccurate Netflix series
nobre197429 December 2023
Basic and inaccurate Netflix series, which hides historical facts of great importance. Its greatest merit is the sound and colorization of scenes. There is a vast amount of filmed material presented here and, therefore, it was worth watching this series. In historical terms, there is a minimalism in information that is very uncomfortable. Little is said (or not even said at all) about the infamous agreement between Stalin and Hitler, the non-aggression pact. There is no mention of the siege of Leningrad. Another inaccurate fact is the terrible situation in which Great Britain found itself at a certain point, alone fighting against Hitler. It is unacceptable not to highlight this fact and this great courage to continue fighting. The definitive documentary of the Second World War already exists. It's French and called Apocalypse and was produced in 2009.
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10/10
Must watch, because it's uncomfortable
bjtqcqk11 December 2023
Six horrific years packed into six episodes of a documentary. Of course there are things missing and some debatable statements. Not all sequences are entirely in order.

However:

  • More than 60 million are dead.


Those who have lived through this conflict will carry the scars forever.

It will fall to those who come after to learn its lessons. -

This closing statement today rings more important than ever.

In color, these disturbing images from the history books remind us of the cost of war. And that the blokes who break them lose usually suffer the least. Democracy requires requires constant effort. Be wary of those who tell you otherwise and those who blame -them- instead.

If this shortened version of WW2 helps younger generations to understand that this may never repeat, I'm all for it.

Great work to everyone involved, thank you so much.
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6/10
Could've been amazing but historically inaccurate
ferrousgryphon26 December 2023
Amazing restored footage and personal interviews but misses the mark on accurate history. Went out of the way to show the actions of the Allies that cast them in a bad light. Makes no mention that Germany targeted civilians first in the Battle over Britain. Made no attempt to explain the loss lives in the invasions of the smaller islands that led the US to estimate the millions that would have died in fighting for the main islands of Japan. Italy did not conquer Greece either. Jon Boyega's narration was terrible. You would think English was not his native tongue. I would say it's worth watching for the interviews and restored frontline film. Take the history as slanted and in some cases just wrong.
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1/10
Huge mistakes from the 1st episode
ypiliouras18 December 2023
I never believed that such a documentary series could be so misleading and inaccurate. From the 1st episode, the narrative of an invasion of Italy in Greece (and the use of a map which shows weak Greek resistance) proves that the documentary has no accuracy and historical relevance.

In reality the Italian invasion in Greece failed and it was the first message to the Axis that Allies are resisting. The Italians encountered unexpectedly tenacious resistance by the Hellenic Army which stopped the Italian invasion by mid-November 1940 and pushed back the Italians back into Albania. As a result, Hitler decided on 6th of April 1941 to invade Greece (Operation Marita).

This huge mistake proves that they didn't have historical background check.
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10/10
One word
jcrabb96812 December 2023
I have only one word that I can think of in review of this series. Brilliant. All the way, BRILLIANT. I watch everything on World War II, especially with archival footage. But to put together an entire linear narrative with nary an actor in sight is a whole different ballgame. The restoration of film is SO impressive, and the emotional response of the viewer to knowing these are the actual people who lived the script...well, it's a whole different dimension. I felt it was as fair as possible to both sides in a situation that was truly an example of a war between good and evil. A good tool for the younger generation, who don't really know the history. Bravo! Well done!!
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9/10
Superb
anuragt-9799821 February 2024
Nothing can beat Netflix when it comes to documentary. I randomly started watching this docu series without any expectations but it turned out to be one of the best things I ever saw in my life.

Never thought or imagined about WWII like this but the visuals and story telling is magic.

Felt empty after the series was over.

It was so carefully edited and delivered that you cannot keep your eyes and mind away. You will be always curious about what is going to happen next.

But I felt there is somewhat historically inaccurate so it will harm 1 ranking otherwise this series is a 10/10 I am giving it a 9 very happily.
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8/10
Interesting documental film
gal9818 March 2024
Why always says about "russia"? "russian's victory". If was USSR. USSR not only "russia", USSR had 15 republics including russia. Because it looks so from the side that only the russians contributed to the victory, and not the entire USSR, including 15 republics, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and others. In general, I liked the documentary, very nicely restored and colorized videos, I liked everything about the film, except for the contribution to the victory mentioned above. This war is a terrible thing... how many people died because of one person... the world is unfair... I see that people have not understood even today, they make the same mistakes.
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10/10
BRILLIANT!!!
vktvfd9 December 2023
This documentary was brilliantly made. The footage is so raw and captivating. The narration and interviews were stellar - so linear and illustrative. And the imagery was jaw dropping. It had me in tears nearly the entire time. What an amazing glimpse into the past during such a monumental phase in history. This is a must watch for history buffs and for those with an open mind and a fascination to learn. There was so much tragedy, but through it a new world formed on the other end. We had to pass through the dark tunnel in order to find a new guiding light for humanity as a whole. It is almost as if we reached a new stage of being and collective consciousness following this horrific event that launched us into modernity, giving us a renewed global mindset. I was so moved and captivated the entire way. My jaw was literally on the floor at certain moments. I highly recommend.
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8/10
As someone who often finds old ww2 footage hard to engage with I liked this
kim-731868 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Ive read many books about WW2 and feel I have a reasonable laymans understanding of it, but I find the old news footage and war footage hard to engage with due to the poor quality of film at the time and the lack of colour etc.

I was surprised how real this felt when I started watching it. In particular a scene in I think episode 1, which showed the german enthusiasm for all of the drama and parades and pomp/circumstance of the nazi party events at the beginning of the war. I felt like it gave me a human face and reality to the things I have read about how the german people were frustrated by their situation and it madd you kind of understand how they might have brought into all of the things Hitler was promising. As someone who like most people considers the holocaust a horrific and shameful part of our global history, it made me think...what if I were there? Would I have been any better than the average german who clearly thought, at the start, at least, that Adolf Hitler was the best thing since sliced bread?

Anyway i found this series made the war feel almost modern day, the colour and close ups of soldiers faces make you feel like you were either watching a much more recently made movie, or were watching social media. It made it much more real for me

I came across this page as i was googling to see what they did with the video footage, obviously they colorised it, but it looks like they also ddid things to make it more clear and more sharply focused, as if it was filmed by more modern cameras..
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8/10
Astonishing footage
wouda-9258610 December 2023
Yes, it is basic and some key details about WW2 and strategic choices are left out. But as someone who has watched a lot of WW2 movies, series and documentaries, i gotta say that the footage looks great. Because the footage is so well restored you get the feeling that you are right there. Usually WW2 footage is in black and white or you can see that it is really old. Here the footage sometimes looks like it is from a war not so long ago. Therefore I think this is a great documentary to show in schools. Children usually see WW2 as something old and really long ago and can't connect to it because it looks so old. Now, with this restored and colorised footage the children will feel some kind of connection and similarities with the people that are shown in this documentary.
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7/10
World War2 in colour...
mak_60013 December 2023
Very good 6 part documentary series on most of the major events of WW2, narrated by John Boyega and utilising original film footage colorised to really bring the imagery to life. This aspect works very well mostly - the events and the horror feel that much closer than the grainy black and white we're used to seeing.

The narration is adequate and tells the story well, yes there are some inaccuracies and some film footage clearly does not match the narration but overall it works well in telling the story as whole of these brutal 6 years of a world tearing itself apart.

There are better series out there, notably World at War narrated by the late, great Laurence Olivier but this one does the job and as said, the colorisation of the film really does bring an added element and makes this a worthwhile addition to the numerous accounts of this period in history and the lessons that should never be forgotten...
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10/10
Absolutely extraordinary
qstxhh11 December 2023
The film has been colorized, stabilized and enhanced, and all the audio cleaned up. No historians pontificating here. You see and hear only the combatants from all sides, their families and civilians who survived. Close ups make you feel you are there. Moving and astonishing. The scenes of kamakazi pilots taking their last sips of sake, and the film from the liberation of Dachau death camp are indescribably moving. It is difficult to imagine the research required to assemble and edit the films then enhance their sound and visual quality. I think Netflix and Rob Coldstream, the producer, have not only produced a gripping series, but done a service to the world by presenting World War II to those who, as I, had not lived through such a titanic era.
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6/10
Poor narration
garykinsella17 January 2024
"World War 2, From the Front Lines" offers a comprehensive and gripping portrayal of historical events, leaving little room for criticism except for the narration. The decision to allow the narrator to drop 't's, engaging in T-glottalization, is questionable. While the content remains commendable, this linguistic deviation affects the documentary's overall quality. Historical documentaries play a crucial role in preserving and conveying the past accurately. Maintaining high standards in narration is essential to uphold the credibility and seriousness of the subject matter.

When narrators drop 't's, it may lead to a loss of clarity and compromise the professionalism expected in historical documentaries. Proper enunciation ensures that crucial details are conveyed accurately, preventing any potential misunderstanding or distortion of historical facts. Consistency in linguistic standards helps the audience fully comprehend the gravity of events, fostering a deeper connection with the subject matter.

In the context of a documentary on World War II, an event of immense historical significance, precision and accuracy are paramount. T-glottalization may undermine the seriousness and respect due to the subject matter. It reflects a departure from the expected linguistic norms, potentially distracting viewers from the gravity of the narrative.

In summary, while "World War 2, From the Front Lines" impresses with its content, the issue of T-glottalization in narration raises concerns about maintaining standards in historical documentaries. Upholding linguistic excellence is not just a matter of aesthetics; it is fundamental to ensuring the accurate and impactful transmission of historical knowledge to future generations.
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1/10
Italy did NOT successfully invade Greece. Sorry Mussolini and sorry Netflix for being historically inaccurate
kefalakis14 December 2023
Historically inaccurate. Just to set the record straight. Italy TRIED to invade Greece but was unsuccessful forcing Hitler to invade as Germany instead. In the so called "documentary" they claim that Italy invaded Greece successfully and that's just NOT TRUE.

Google Greco-Italian War.

Here's the reality taken from Wikipedia (until Netflix decides to change all historical references):

Italy's invasion of Greece, launched with the divisions of the Royal Army based in Italian-controlled Albania, badly armed and poorly commanded, resulted in a setback: the Italians encountered unexpectedly tenacious resistance by the Hellenic Army and had to contend with the mountainous and muddy terrain on the Albanian-Greek border. With British air and material support, the Greeks stopped the Italian invasion just inside Greek territory by mid-November and subsequently counter-attacked with the bulk of their mobilized army to push the Italians back into Albania - an advance which culminated in the Capture of Klisura Pass in January 1941, a few dozen kilometers inside the Albanian border. The defeat of the Italian invasion and the Greek counter-offensive of 1940 have been called the "first Axis setback of the entire war" by Mark Mazower, the Greeks "surprising everyone with the tenacity of their resistance".

Conclusion: No, Italy did NOT successfully invade Greece... Sorry Mussolini....
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9/10
From the Front Lines WWII
tpsimpleman23 December 2023
"WWII From the Front Lines" is a stunning documentary that offers a unique perspective on one of the most significant events in human history. By utilizing colorization techniques, the film brings to life the raw emotions and gritty reality experienced by soldiers on the front lines during World War II.

The use of colorization adds a new layer of depth and immediacy to the footage, making it feel more relatable and relevant to modern audiences. It allows us to see the vibrant landscapes, vivid uniforms, and blood-soaked battlefields in a way that black-and-white footage simply cannot convey. This technique helps bridge the gap between past and present, reminding us that these were real people who lived through unimaginable hardships.

The documentary effectively combines original footage with interviews from veterans who provide firsthand accounts of their experiences. Their stories are powerful and moving, offering insights into not only the physical challenges they faced but also the emotional toll war took on them. The juxtaposition of colorful visuals with these personal narratives creates a compelling narrative thread throughout the film.

Furthermore, "WWII From the Front Lines" does an excellent job of presenting a balanced view of both sides involved in the conflict. It showcases not only Allied forces but also German and Japanese perspectives, giving viewers a more comprehensive understanding of how different nations experienced World War II.

One minor criticism is that at times, certain scenes may appear slightly artificial due to limitations in colorization technology or inconsistencies in image quality. However, this does not detract significantly from overall viewing experience as it still succeeds in bringing history to life.

In conclusion, "WWII From the Front Lines" is an exceptional documentary that breathes new life into World War II footage through skillful colorization techniques. It offers a fresh perspective on this pivotal moment in history while honoring those who fought and sacrificed for freedom. This film is highly recommended for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of WWII from those who witnessed it firsthand.
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9/10
The Color gave it warmth
jeromewilliams7424 December 2023
Nicely done Netflix. But I would have loved it more if we knew how Adolf Hitler got his financing. At that time, the Deutsche Mark was worth less than toilet paper and the United Kingdom was debtor Nation. Who put up the funding? That part of context is missing and required to really understand how these conflicts get started and by whom.

None of these conflicts happen in a Vaccum. Also, why did it take Pearl Harbor to happen before the United States of America would finally enter this conflict? The action is good, but next series let's dig a little bit deeper and the why and the how Netflix.
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