British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Railways of the Great War

Alternative title
Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo
Synopsis
Five part series, in which Conservative politician Michael Portillo marks the centenary of the Great War by discovering the central role the railways played in securing victory, repatriating the dead and wounded and feeding the insatiable appetite for weaponry and supplies that the theatre of war demanded. This is a story of how a British invention that brought trade, travel and prosperity in peacetime became an engine of war.
Portillo tracks down the fascinating, emotional and sometimes tragic stories of the wartime railways that criss-crossed Britain and Europe. They were the crucial new arm of modern warfare at a time when motorised transport on the roads was in its infancy.
Over five episodes Portillo visits the key railway locations that would become synonymous with the victories, defeats, battles and campaigns of the Great War, showing how integral they were to success - often in surprising ways - and how they helped to shape the Europe we know today.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Subjects
History
Keywords
Europe; railways; World War 1; Great Britain; 1910s

Credits

Contributor
Michael Portillo

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£3.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
145 minutes
Year
2018

Production Company

Name

BBC

Notes
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributor

Name

Network

Email
shop@networkonair.com
Web
http://networkonair.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
01992 657707
Address
19-20 Blythe Road
Berghem Mews
Hammersmith
London
W14 0HN
Notes
Founded in 1997, Network specialises in distributing niche television programmes, predominantly licensed from Granada Ventures and Fremantle. They have recently branched into feature film distribution. Sale via retail outlets or direct via Network’s website, which has some’web exclusive’ offers.

Record Stats

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