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The First World War

The First World War

★ 7.3/10•2003•Documentary•War & Politics
Similars

This ten-part docuseries tells the comprehensive story of the First World War, featuring excerpts written by Winston Churchill, Karen Blixen, Georges Clémenceau, David Lloyd George, Siegfried Sassoon and Rudolf Hess.

Emma Wallace · Director

Corina Sturmer · Director

Ben Steele · Director

Marcus Kiggell · Director

StatusEnded
LanguageEN
First Air DateSep 20, 2003

Episodes

Episode 1 - To Arms (1914)E160m

To Arms (1914)

The First World War shaped the twentieth century. It sparked the Russian Revolution, and it launched America as a world power. The fault-line from its failed peace settlement led to a second terrible world war barely twenty years later.

Sep 20, 2003

Episode 2 - Under the Eagle (1914-1915)E260m

Under the Eagle (1914-1915)

The first months of the war on the Western Front were mobile, fast and dangerous; casualty rates were higher than with later trench warfare. The Germans were halted by the Allies at the Battle of the Mame, fell back to high ground and dug in. The Allies followed suit.

Sep 27, 2003

Episode 3 - Global War (1914-1916)E360m

Global War (1914-1916)

War for Europe meant war for the world. Germany gambled that Britain might risk everything to protect her Empire - even victory on the Western Front. So, to divert British resources, maverick German commanders led the British a dance; across the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Oct 4, 2003

Episode 4 - Jihad (1914-1916)E460m

Jihad (1914-1916)

The Ottoman Empire, Germany's ally, summoned all Muslims to Jihad - holy war - to overthrow Allied power in the Middle East. They proved a formidable foe, as the Allies found to their cost at Gallipoli and in the Middle East.

Oct 11, 2003

Episode 5 - Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)E560m

Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)

As the Germans and Austrians clashed with The Russians on the bitter Eastern Front, Italy became embroiled in a terrible slaughter.

Oct 18, 2003

Episode 6 - Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)E660m

Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)

Attrition, "lions led by donkeys", the slaughter only ceasing for a brief truce one Christmas - old, mistaken views of the war on the Western Front. In fact there was constant tactical evolutions; hundreds of generals died in action; some men adopted a system of "Live and Let Live", with countless informal local truces.

Oct 25, 2003

Episode 7 - Blockade (1916-1917)E760m

Blockade (1916-1917)

The war at sea was every bit as bitter as the war on land. The battle at Jutland proved inconclusive but the U-Boat menace threatened Britain as never before. Meanwhile, America entered the war.

Nov 1, 2003

Episode 8 - Revolution (1917)E860m

Revolution (1917)

The effect of the Great War shattered nations, inspired mass mutinies by desperate troops, caused great upheaval on the home front and changed the world forever.

Nov 8, 2003

Episode 9 - Germany's Last Gamble (1918)E960m

Germany's Last Gamble (1918)

Over one million German troops were committed to Kaiserschlacht - the last great offensive of the war - while conflict still raged on many other fronts.

Nov 15, 2003

Episode 10 - War Without End (1918- )E1060m

War Without End (1918- )

The dramatic Allied victory at Amiens led to victory in just 100 days - and the signing of a bitterly-resented peace, while other nations stumbled towards their own ceasefire agreements.

Nov 22, 2003

Actors

Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

Self

Marie of Romania

Self

Hermann Göring

Hermann Göring

Self (archive footage)

Jonathan Lewis

Self - Narrator

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