The World at War
Discussion
Adam B said:
Pretty obvious he meant the acts described not the tv series
Not that obvious.All war is sickening and, with World War 2 being the biggest war ever, it would be massively sickening all round. That almost goes without saying.
If you have the boxed set, there is a special introduction intro by the producer of the series, Jeremy Isaacs and he mentions some of the areas he thinks they would have covered differently or more extensively if doing it now. It's still a landmark TV documentary series.
AndrewCrown said:
I would recommend, if anyone is interested, to supplement The World at War with two terrific books:
All Hell Let Loose: Max Hastings
Fatefull Choices: Ian Kershaw (suggested to me by the son of German General)
These books turned everything I thought to be true on its head..
thanks - have added both to my wish listAll Hell Let Loose: Max Hastings
Fatefull Choices: Ian Kershaw (suggested to me by the son of German General)
These books turned everything I thought to be true on its head..
ETA - and now have bought both!
Edited by Adam B on Wednesday 30th May 13:50
I've seen bits of it before back in the 90's as a teenager, and have read a fair amount about both WW's so have a 'reasonable' knowledge, but Mrs ZS admits her knowledge is very lacking, so I managed to convince her to start watching it.
We've just finished the Battle of the Atlantic episode, pretty harrowing listening to some of the survivors stories. And the way some of them are so matter of fact about it is very sobering.
I think what makes this series stand out is the range of interviews, with people from both sides and at all levels talking freely about their experiences.
We've just finished the Battle of the Atlantic episode, pretty harrowing listening to some of the survivors stories. And the way some of them are so matter of fact about it is very sobering.
I think what makes this series stand out is the range of interviews, with people from both sides and at all levels talking freely about their experiences.
That is the great thing about "The World at War". It was filmed between 1971 and 1973 so only 26-28 years after the conflict ended. This means they were able to speak to some very important decision makers and participants from the war period - Averell Harriman, Albert Speer, Anthony Eden, Minoru Genda etc . A few years later, many of these individuals had died.
Eric Mc said:
In what way, sickening. It's a great series - probably the best thing an ITV franchise company ever did.
Compelling viewing, absolutely amazing to watch. The images of body after body are not something I have ever seen before other than in films. Fascinating viewing, currently on episode 5.
Eric Mc said:
That is the great thing about "The World at War". It was filmed between 1971 and 1973 so only 26-28 years after the conflict ended. This means they were able to speak to some very important decision makers and participants from the war period - Averell Harriman, Albert Speer, Anthony Eden, Minoru Genda etc . A few years later, many of these individuals had died.
One of the reasons why Jeremy Isaacs pushed to make the series when he did was that he wanted to get all the interviews before the key protagonists died. If I recall correctly, he started filming the interviews in about '68Writhing said:
The opening music still gets me. Cant imagine anything so powerful being made nowadays. It would be too sanitised and computerised.
The first episode (Very powerful first two minutes)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4g4ZZNC1E
Wacky Racer said:
Writhing said:
The opening music still gets me. Cant imagine anything so powerful being made nowadays. It would be too sanitised and computerised.
The first episode (Very powerful first two minutes)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4g4ZZNC1E
If anyone is travelling through France, make a point of including a trip, even if for a couple of hours. It's a place which has a deep impact and you will never forget it.
nicanary said:
I believe several contributors to this thread have visited the village. To say it's emotional is a huge understatement.
If anyone is travelling through France, make a point of including a trip, even if for a couple of hours. It's a place which has a deep impact and you will never forget it.
The true horror of Oradour is that it is only one of many villages and towns in Nazi occupied Europe that suffered the same fate.If anyone is travelling through France, make a point of including a trip, even if for a couple of hours. It's a place which has a deep impact and you will never forget it.
Maille in France, Putten in the Netherlands and and Lidice in the Czech Republic are justbthree that spring to mind
One of the major changes in our view of WW2 since the time The World at War was broadcast, is our realisation of how much co-operation there was between the authorities of the occupied countries and the Nazis and how willing so many locals were in assisting with these atrocities.
That was still a hyper-sensitive topic in 1971-73. Now that so many of those who engaged in such activities are dead, we are more willing to look into what is a very dark aspect of that war.
That was still a hyper-sensitive topic in 1971-73. Now that so many of those who engaged in such activities are dead, we are more willing to look into what is a very dark aspect of that war.
Eric Mc said:
One of the major changes in our view of WW2 since the time The World at War was broadcast, is our realisation of how much co-operation there was between the authorities of the occupied countries and the Nazis and how willing so many locals were in assisting with these atrocities.
That was still a hyper-sensitive topic in 1971-73. Now that so many of those who engaged in such activities are dead, we are more willing to look into what is a very dark aspect of that war.
Indeed. This still engenders huge national self-loathing in the Netherlands. One of the reasons why the the extermination of the Dutch Jewish population was so high (iirc, something like a pre War population of 120k, 105k exterminated) was because the Dutch civil service was so brutally efficient in co-operating with the Nazi authorities in identifying and rounding up the Jewish population. This was a massive taboo for over 50 years until the then Queen publicly acknowledged it in a speech to the Knesset during a visit to Israel.That was still a hyper-sensitive topic in 1971-73. Now that so many of those who engaged in such activities are dead, we are more willing to look into what is a very dark aspect of that war.
When you think about it, Germany had a population of c60m at the time of WW2 and were fighting a major, offensive war on at least two fronts throughout the war. The only possible way of administering their occupied territories was to secure the widespread support of the population in those territories
Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff