First World War, The

Synopsis

A 10-part series based on the book by Hew Strachan, Professor of the History of War at Oxford University. Conventional myths of the war as a European conflict are exploded and the human tragedy is placed into a wider context, going beyond the Western Front to incorporate the entire globe. It explores many of the lesser-known campaigns, battles and actions, such as the war in Italy, Russia and Austria as well as the better known Western Front campaigns. The series combines previously unseen footage from newly accessible archives in Central and Eastern Europe with new film of many of he battlefields as they are today.

DVD extras include 45 minutes of extra frontline footage and newsreels, a 90-picture stills gallery and booklet.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Notes

Broadcast weekly in 10 parts on Channel 4, beginning 20/9/03.

Subjects

History

Keywords

World War 1

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£49.99

Duration/Size

597 minutes

Year

2004

Type

VHS

Format

PAL

Price

£39.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

500 minutes

Year

2004

Sections

Title

To Arms

Synopsis

First in a series which dispels the myths and offers new and provocative answers to core questions about the war, its causes, conduct and legacy. It features new material including hundreds of eyewitness accounts from frontline soldiers, generals, statesmen, children and women from all sides in the conflict

Duration

60 mins

Title

Under the Eagle

Synopsis

Part two covers the early months on the Western Front. The occupying Germans knew they could not achieve a quick victory on a two-front war. They planned to take as much ground as possible, then broker a peace plan. But they were halted at the Battle of Marne by the Allies

Duration

60 mins

Title

Global War

Synopsis

Britain, eager to defend her sea routes, recruited troops from her Empire, while France turned to black Africa to bolster her forces. With the Germans in East Africa and the Indian Ocean, and Turkish troops near Suez, the battle for the continent was on.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Jihad

Synopsis

Part four looks at the alliance between Germany and Turkey, which Germany saw it as a way of striking at the British Empire - India in particular - and Turkey as a chance to win back some of her lost territories.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Shackled to a Corpse

Synopsis

Part five looks at the ferocious battle for the Eastern Front. Fought across brutal terrain from the Urals to the Alps, it marked the introduction of some of the 20th century’s horrors such as chemical weapons, mass expulsion of populations and the persecution of the Jews.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Breaking the Deadlock

Synopsis

Part six covers the battle on the Western Front from 1915-17. Conventional opinions paint a picture of stalemate and needless slaughter. In reality it was a period of tactical evolution. The Germans evolved their storm troopers, and artillery ruled. The dreaded trenches were in reality life savers.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Blockade

Synopsis

Part seven focuses on the battle on the high seas with German submarines turning the North Sea into a no-go area. The British Navy responded by blockading Europe in an attempt to starve the enemy out. Meanwhile, British code-breakers changed the course of the war by deciphering one message.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Revolution

Synopsis

This episode examines how governments worried about unrest at home set about fermenting revolution among the enemy. Britain sponsored the Arab revolt through Lawrence of Arabia, while Germany backed Irish independence and helped Lenin get back to Russia in 1917.

Duration

60 mins

Title

Germany’s Last Gamble

Synopsis

In March 1918, the Germans launched a massive offensive on the Western Front with a view to winning the war before the Americans arrived. The tactics worked initially, but the battle-weary troops soon ran out of steam as well as strategy and supplies - then the Americans arrived.

Duration

60 mins

Title

War without End

Synopsis

The final part explores the war’s strange end. The final destructive months of the war went beyond trench warfare as the Allies fully utilized their new high-tech weapons of tanks and planes. When the end arrived, the Germans, convinced they were unbeaten, remained in France and the Armistice began.

Duration

60 mins

Sponsor

Name

Channel Four Television

Phone

071-396 4444

Address

LONDON
SW1P 2TX

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