Western Front, The

Synopsis

Series in which military historian Richard Holmes examines how World War 1 was fought in trenches, forts and bunkers, with the aim of highlighting the contrasts on the battlefields where ‘ancient ideas of patriotism met industrial power’. Provides an insight the warfare on and the life in the trenchline that stretched from the Swiss frontier to the North Sea. Uses archive film, reconstructions, interviews with experts and first-hand accounts from survivors. In six parts: 1) Making the Front: the British Expeditionary Force moving to fight the Germans in France from August to December 1914; 2) Feeding the Front: use of poison gas; 3) Holding the Front: Verdun, scene of the first battle where artillery totally dominated; 4) Commanding the Front: the Battle of the Somme, and the responsibilities of Generals Haig and Rawlinson; 5) Endruing the Front: the 1917 Nivelle offensive and Passchendaele; 6) Breaking the Front: the massive German offensive of 1918.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col/b&w. 180 min.

Year of production

1999

Availability

Sale; 2000 sale: £17.99 (inclusive)

Notes

Broadcast as WESTERN FRONT on BBC1 from 29/7/99.

Subjects

History

Keywords

oral history; World War 1

Credits

Director

Keith Sheather; Steven Clarke

Producer

Mark Fielder

Cast

Richard Holmes

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

 

Available from retail outlets

Name

Simply Media

Contact

Laura Smith

Email

info@simplymedia.tv

Web

http://www.simplymedia.tv/ External site opens in new window

Phone

0203 542 3722

Address

Highlight House
57 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SJ

Notes

Formerly known as DD Home Entertainment or DDHE