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The Winds of War

The Winds of War

★ 7.3/10•1983•1h 33m•NR•War & Politics•Drama
Similars

The first theatrical motion picture made for television

Against the backdrop of world events that led to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Victor 'Pug' Henry is a career naval officer who, along with his family, learns to navigate the waters of his dangerous times in the late 1930s.

StatusEnded
Runtime1h 33m
LanguageEN
First Air DateFeb 6, 1983

Episodes

Episode 1 - The Winds RiseE1147m

The Winds Rise

In April 1939, Victor 'Pug' Henry and his wife Rhoda set sail for Europe where he is to take up his post as a Naval Attache at the U.S Embassy in Berlin. Aboard ship, they meet General Von Roon and Pamela Tudsbury, who is traveling with her journalist father. Their youngest son Byron is abroad while eldest son Warren is also in the Navy learning to become an aviator; daughter Madeleine is left on her own in New York and as soon as her parents leave, starts looking for a job.

Feb 6, 1983

Episode 2 - The Storm BreaksE2140m

The Storm Breaks

With the German invasion of Poland underway, Henry is called to Washington for a meeting with President Roosevelt. Impressed that Henry foresaw the German-Soviet pact, Roosevelt asks him to write from time to time on potentially interesting topics. Henry is a bit concerned when he learns from Warren, at flight school, that his daughter is living and working in New York.

Feb 7, 1983

Episode 3 - CataclysmE394m

Cataclysm

Henry accompanies American banker Luigi Gianelli on a diplomatic mission to Italy to see if Il Duce will meet with a peace envoy. The Italian dictator agrees but when the same approach is made to Hitler, he declines. Meanwhile, Rhoda, bored in Berlin, is thrilled when they're invited for a hunting weekend to the home of wealthy banker Wolf Stoller. Henry is aware however that Stoller has made his fortune by forcing Jews to sells their businesses for only a fraction of their value.

Feb 8, 1983

Episode 4 - DefianceE494m

Defiance

At Roosevelt's request, Henry goes to London to meet with the British and provide his own personal view on their doings. However, Henry is amazed to find how efficient their radar is, and encounters Pamela Tudsbury and meets her fiancé, an RAF pilot. When he is shot down over the English Channel, Henry and Pamela spend a good deal of time together. Although he remains loyal to his wife, it is apparent that they have developed feelings for one another.

Feb 9, 1983

Episode 5 - Of Love and WarE593m

Of Love and War

Safely back from the bombing mission, Henry begins to realize the strength of the mutual affection he and Pamela share. Any plans to spend time together are cut short when Henry is ordered to wrap up in Berlin and return to Washington for a new assignment. Rhoda takes her relationship with Palmer Kirby a step further when they spend the night together at a country inn.

Feb 10, 1983

Episode 6 - The Changing of the GuardE6147m

The Changing of the Guard

With the Lend-Lease Act about to be passed, Roosevelt asks Henry to lead an informal escort of 70 merchant ships delivering much needed supplies to England. They're banking on the fact that the German U-Boats won't fire on neutral U.S. warships. After the mission, Roosevelt promises Henry command of a battleship. First, however, he must go to Moscow where he is reunited with Pamela. Rhoda goes on a week's holiday with Palmer. When the Henrys are invited to the White House for dinner, Byron asks the President for help in resolving Aaron Jastrow's passport difficulties. He also goes to Pearl Harbor where he's reunited with Warren and Madeline. Roosevelt and Churchill meet at Placentia Bay in Newfoundland. The Germans attack Russia and send them reeling as they push them further east.

Feb 11, 1983

Episode 7 - Into the MaelstromE7142m

Into the Maelstrom

Still assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Henry saves the day when friction rises between the Russian hosts and their visitors at a State dinner. In return, Stalin agrees to greater cooperation with the U.S., and agrees to let Henry visit the frontlines. Henry isn't so sure about the visit when he learns that Pamela and her father will be accompanying him. Henry finally receives orders to command a battleship and to report to Pearl Harbor.

Feb 13, 1983

Actors

Robert Mitchum

Robert Mitchum

Victor 'Pug' Henry

Ali MacGraw

Ali MacGraw

Natalie Jastrow

Jan-Michael Vincent

Jan-Michael Vincent

Byron Henry

John Houseman

John Houseman

Aaron Jastrow

Polly Bergen

Polly Bergen

Rhoda Henry

Lisa Eilbacher

Lisa Eilbacher

Madeline Henry

David Dukes

David Dukes

Leslie Slote

Chaim Topol

Chaim Topol

Berel Jastrow

Ben Murphy

Ben Murphy

Warren Henry

Peter Graves

Peter Graves

Palmer 'Fred' Kirby

Jeremy Kemp

Jeremy Kemp

Armin Von Roon

Ralph Bellamy

Ralph Bellamy

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Victoria Tennant

Victoria Tennant

Pamela Tudsbury

Wolfgang Preiss

Wolfgang Preiss

Walther von Brauchitsch

William Woodson

William Woodson

Narrator (voice)

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