The World At War: Complete TV Series [DVD]

I bought this product at the recommendation of former college tutor after discussing the lack of quality documentation on television (this was the pre-BBC Blue Planet days).The World at War begins at the circumstances leading to the outbreak of the Second World War, and takes you right to the very end. Explaining in detail (as much as a TV documentary can) not only the events of the time, but the causes and effects of the actions, and how with very little movement either way the world could be a much different place today.As well as the hours of core documentary, there are several other feature episodes on the discs covering events such as the Holocaust, and the lead up to Germany re-arming for war. There are also many bonus features on each episode to look through if you're a bit of a geek for these things like me.Other points:- The people that are interviewed in the series are the one thing that makes this series. 95% of the interviewees will be now pass away, so compared to modern documentary, its a real eye opener. Cabinet ministers from both sides, famous figures such as Karl Donitz and so forth. It really helps to immerse you in the footage.- What you get with this product, are hours, and hours of quality documentary narrated by the superb Laurence Olivier. In my opinion his narration really helps to make the series what it is. I somehow found myself more enthralled listening to his voice over the action on screen.- One negative in my view, is the menu system on the DVD navigation. Compared to more modern box sets its not easy to get around and looks dated. Saying that, this isnt a new series and if you can live with it thats only a minor issue.All in all, an epic series, and I think one which in the future will still continue to be held up as a definitive documentary.

I have binge-watched 20 of the 26 episodes and whilst much TV from the 70s - even what you remember fondly - has dated quite badly, this documentary remains masterful. You just keep wanting to see the next episode. The simple bringing together of archive footage, the key people who were there just being allowed to talk, and Olivier's considered but compelling narration, does not look its 43 years. The range - truly global - reflects and emphasises the global nature of the war. Plus the focus on the military reminds you how extraordinarily difficult a lot of it was to pull off (on both sides). And how cruel and random war can be. Meanwhile for those of us watching in 2016 when this is now really really history it's amazing to see so many of the key players talk - Doenitz and Speer and Himmler's chief of staff and Hitler's secretary, Eden, Harris, Mountbatten, Rab Butler. Not to mention ordinary people and Auschwitz survivors. Of all the people interviewed I think only one is still alive, Vera Lynn and she's 99. There are also innovations that you still see today - an introduction before the opening titles, freeze framing the last frame for the run out, the use of music generally. Ironically it was all harder to watch originally as it was first shown through the difficult winter of 1973-74 with the 3 day week and regular power cuts. In terms of quality, I have the DVD, it's a bit grainy but as good as it could be, a great restoration. As for the much debated cropping issue, maybe it's worse on the Bluray but I don't get it. I suppose having read the reviews there is a minor cropping at top and bottom but I don't see sections of heads cut off. Watching it full screen on my 42" screen is an immersive experience that it just wouldn't be if in original format with sides in black (like Brideshead that I rewatched recently) and even though I'd read the reviews before I bought I just haven't noticed it as I've watched. Maybe it would be different if I could remember watching it originally when it came out (when I was 9) but I don't think I saw much of it then. One final note - for anyone who grew up with ITV in the 70s the start of each episode with the Thames TV logo and short jingle is a little kick of nostalgia every time. I keep expecting the Magpie theme tune to come next.

This is an old series. I remember it when it was first aired on TV back in the 1970s. Nevertheless, it is worth a further visit after all these years.The current publishers have vastly improved the quality of the old film clips and enhanced the sound quality also. Watching some of the pre 1939 German newsreels, it is hard to believe that the shots are mostly 75 to 80 years old. Further, the images have been cropped so that they match the aspect ratio of modern wide angle TVs.Of course, with hindsight some of the info, especially regarding military intelligence, is not always accurate or sometimes somewhat out of date. But one has to remember that the original set was produced before anyone not 'in-the-know', was aware of Ultra and Bletchley Park etc.I especially enjoyed the interviews and retrospective discussion in the last two or three discs. They contain interesting interviews with civilians and senior soldiers on both sides of the fence, who took part in the war and are of course now long dead.I would thoroughly recommend this set to anyone interested in WW11 history. V good value indeed.