The World at War - sobering footage

[Eric Mc]

He may not have been willing to talk to them. He was a bit of a cantankerous old chap.

[nicanary]

Eric Mc said:

He may not have been willing to talk to them. He was a bit of a cantankerous old chap.

And he may not have agreed with what they said about him. He only saw things through his own mind.

[Eric Mc]

Absolutely. If he had taken part, at least he might have been able to get his (very opinionated) views across.

[nicanary]

Eric Mc said:

Absolutely. If he had taken part, at least he might have been able to get his (very opinionated) views across.

I have just finished reading Antony Beevor's "Ardennes 1944". Whilst I appreciate that the book is written from Beevor's viewpoint, Monty does not come out of it well.

The American top brass were extremely frustrated by him, and on occasion would let him have his own way just to shut him up.

[anonymous-user]

The series is shown at different times on the Yesterday Channel

[Halb]

Derek Smith said:

The series is sobering indeed. It became the topic of conversation at work. It should be compulsory viewing for children in schools.

Well done ITV. In those days the advertising revenue allowed them the freedom to take such risks. I see it is 19th in the top 100 greatest British television programmes, beaten by Blue Peter and Dr Who.

Along with Threads, When the WInd Blows and the other sad/creepy/scary stuff from the thread in the science forum.

A shame that television has gone the way it has.

[mcelliott]

rupert the dog said:

nicanary said:

The opening scenes are shot at the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane. It's near Limoges - if you're ever passing through the area it is something which you need to visit. There's an awfulness about it which is difficult to convey on these pages. When I was there I realised that I couldn't hear any birds singing or notice any wildlife - it was almost as if they knew, and had fled for ever.

Sorry if that sounds a bit melodramatic. It's not a place to take small children.

We went there last year, a truly sobering and moving experience. I know I may be naive, but it's still hard to believe that so-called civilised people can do these things.

I love the World at War series - seemed to have watched it on and off for most of my life. I can't remember which episode but it featured Hitler's personal secretary - absolutely fascinating stuff.

On the subject of Oradour - went there in the Spring - a very thought provoking place indeed. Couldn't disagree more about not taking children. Took mine (10 and 13) and couldn't believe how intrigued they were and not at all overcome by the visit. They still ask questions now. I would say it's a very good place to take children.

[wolfracesonic]

^ The secretary would be Traudl Junge I think. I read her memoirs a few years ago, fascinating stuff. The film 'Downfall' was filmed from her perspective and she also appeared in many documentaries over the years on Hitler and the last days in the bunker.

[mcelliott]

Yes that's the one - thanks.

[Wacky Racer]

Arguably the finest documentary series ever made, narrated by the superb Laurence Olivier.

I watched it on TV first time round, and have had the DVD's for several years. Essential viewing.


Off topic:-

Just finished reading:-



Highly recommended.

Interesting fact:-

The B29 Superfortress Bockscar that dropped the second bomb "Fat man" on Nagasaki on the 9th August literally ran out of fuel on landing on Okinawa as it did not have enough to make it back to Tinian.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bockscar

[Mr GrimNasty]

It' worth remembering that there are many atrocities in that series every bit as dreadful as the Nazi final solution, many committed by ourselves and our allies against civilians as well as soldiers.

[ExV8]

Must admit, not really wanted to watch the last DVD - so gruesome.

Read a few books from the losing side. Sounds like the red army were some what worse than the Germans in terms of army behaviour. Read a book about Sepp Allerberger (German Sniper) and it seems unbelievable that soviet atrocities were kept so quiet, although the mass rape of German women seems to be more known.

[Gargamel]

ExV8 said:

Must admit, not really wanted to watch the last DVD - so gruesome.

Read a few books from the losing side. Sounds like the red army were some what worse than the Germans in terms of army behaviour. Read a book about Sepp Allerberger (German Sniper) and it seems unbelievable that soviet atrocities were kept so quiet, although the mass rape of German women seems to be more known.

I am reading Beevor's seminal the Second World War.

It seems the Red Army weren't the only ones.

A terrible period

[Beati Dogu]

I've read Sepp Allerberger's book too. Quite nasty in parts it is too.

[thehawk]

Derek Smith said:

Denying the Holocaust is a political decision. Nothing to do with the facts.

True denial of the holocaust is pretty crazy and not many believe that, however more accurately it's holocaust revisionists rather than denialists. They question the numbers and magnitude of the holocaust.

[Derek Smith]

thehawk said:

Derek Smith said:

Denying the Holocaust is a political decision. Nothing to do with the facts.

True denial of the holocaust is pretty crazy and not many believe that, however more accurately it's holocaust revisionists rather than denialists. They question the numbers and magnitude of the holocaust.

You are quite correct, both times. Poor wording by me.

[0000]

Used to watch this in school when I was about 8-9 years old. A teacher would occasionally come into the room where the school had a Sega Mega Drive, turn it off and put an episode of this on. Probably the only TV I can remember from that far back and it, particularly the music in the closing sequence, certainly haunted me then.

About time to brave watching it again perhaps.

[smn159]

Heads up that this is currently being shown on 'Yesterday', which I think is one of the freeview channels (well it's in my Virgin Media TV package anyway )

Must have seen it five or six times over the years but still fascinating

[nicanary]

It never seems to be off one channel or other, but that's not a bad thing. One of the very best documentary series and essential viewing if you haven't seen it before.

[m444ttb]

I'm going to buy the eve box set next time I order something else from Amazon. It does have some flaws now due to information that in the early 70s was still classified etc but still so good and we're so fortunate they made it when key people or those close to the, were still alive.