People’s Century (Parts 1-3)

Synopsis

A history of 20th century in 26 parts as seen from the point of view of ordinary people who have lived through the events. Includes interviews and extensive archive footage.
1 (producer Jonathan Lewis): Eye witnesses to events around the turn of the century recall their experience of oppression, revolution and optimism. Shows Queen Victoria’s funeral in 1901, the electricity display at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and events in Russia and South Africa up to the outbreak of World War 1.
2 (producer: Bill Treharne Jones): Survivors of World War 1 remember their hopes at the time, their training and the privations they suffered. Veterans of both the Allied and German campaigns of World War 1 tell how patriotic fervour crumbled in the face of increasingly pointless slaughter.
3 (producer Bill Treharne Jones): Examines the appeal of communism and the impact it had on people’s lives as the new Soviet Union was constructed in the first 20 years after 1917. Interviews reveal how the system first inspired, then terrified, the people it was supposed to empower.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. b&w/col. 160 min.

Year of production

1995

Availability

out of distribution

Notes

Broadcast on BBC 1 from 13/9/95.

Documentation

Accompanying book available separately.

Subjects

History

Keywords

history of the 20th century; Queen Victoria; Russian revolution; social history; World War 1

Credits

Producer

Bill Treharne Jones; Jonathan Lewis

Contributor

Peter Pagnamenta

Sections

Title

Age of home

Synopsis

1 (producer Jonathan Lewis): Eye witnesses to events around the turn of the century recall their experience of oppression, revolution and optimism. Shows Queen Victoria's funeral in 1901, the electricity display at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and events

Title

Killing fields

Synopsis

2 (producer: Bill Treharne Jones): Survivors of World War 1 remember their hopes at the time, their training and the privations they suffered. Veterans of both the Allied and German campaigns of World War 1 tell how patriotic fervour crumbled in the face

Title

1917: Red flag

Synopsis

3 (producer Bill Treharne Jones): Examines the appeal of communism and the impact it had on people's lives as the new Soviet Union was constructed in the first 20 years after 1917. Interviews reveal how the system first inspired, then terrified, the peopl

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Home Video

 

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