world war 1 & 2
Discussion
Hello Folks!
Hope this is in the right area, can anyone point me to WW documentaries either online (of decent quality) or on DVD that will help me learn about when/why they started, what major events took place, the learnings, the grievings etc...?
I would just like a bit more information on this as I do not no much at the moment and it is such an important part of our history I feel ashamed to have neglected the events so far in life!
Thanks!
Hope this is in the right area, can anyone point me to WW documentaries either online (of decent quality) or on DVD that will help me learn about when/why they started, what major events took place, the learnings, the grievings etc...?
I would just like a bit more information on this as I do not no much at the moment and it is such an important part of our history I feel ashamed to have neglected the events so far in life!
Thanks!
For WW2 http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-At-War-Complete-Disc... is a brilliant set and well worth watching
also I want to find out about WW1 (any reco's for this) and then learn about WW2If you haven't seen The World At War then go and watch it NOW! The best documentary ever made. I got it for £30 in HMV in last years January sale, probably the best £30 I have ever spent.
Also as a foil to that search for 'The War of the World' on 4od, basically a theory that the entire 20th Century was one long war were the factions and locations were constantly changing.
Also as a foil to that search for 'The War of the World' on 4od, basically a theory that the entire 20th Century was one long war were the factions and locations were constantly changing.
The "World at War" TV series is BY FAR, the best documentary EVER made about WW2. I watched it when it was first broadcast in 1973 and 1974 and I have the DVD boxed set so I can watch it now anytime.
I would also highly recommend the documentary series "The Nazis - A Warning from History".
One of the saddest aspects of "The World at War" is that it was made by ITV (Thames Television). Would ITV ever contemplate anything as ambitious in its current state?
I would also highly recommend the documentary series "The Nazis - A Warning from History".
One of the saddest aspects of "The World at War" is that it was made by ITV (Thames Television). Would ITV ever contemplate anything as ambitious in its current state?
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 4th January 17:36
Documentaries on World War 1 are far less extensive, partly because the amount of actual footage from WW1 is a lot less. The BBC made a series in 1965 called "The Great War" which io still looked on as pretty definitive. It was shot in black and white as the UK had not switched over to colour TV in 1965 but that is not too much of a problem as all WW1 footage was in B & W anyway.
Just saw a two part documentary on the Discovery/Military channel here in the US. It is called "Paris 1919" and does a really good job of pointing out the countless errors made during the Paris peace conference at the close of WW 1. It's amazing the myopia that, of course, is 20/20 in hindsight... It's available via Amazon on DVD. Don't know if it is available in the UK yet.
My favourite quote from the docu was attibuted to Keynes concerning Woodrow Wilson "It was proving harder to de-bamboozle the old presbyterian than it was to bamboozle him in the first place..."
My favourite quote from the docu was attibuted to Keynes concerning Woodrow Wilson "It was proving harder to de-bamboozle the old presbyterian than it was to bamboozle him in the first place..."
I know of a book, Churchill, Hitler and the unnecessary war.
Learned alot from that.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Churchill-Hitler-Unnecessa...
Learned alot from that.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Churchill-Hitler-Unnecessa...
Try Blackadder goes forth for an accurate description
George: The war started because of the vile Hun and his villainous empire-building.
Blackadder: George, the British Empire at present covers a quarter of the globe, while the German Empire consists of a small sausage factory in Tanganyika. I hardly think we can be entirely absolved from blame on the imperialistic front.
Blackadder: You see, Baldrick, in order to prevent a war in Europe, two super blocs developed: us, the French and the Russians on one side; and the Germans and Austro-Hungary on the other. The idea was to have two vast, opposing armies, each acting as the other's deterrent. That way, there could never be a war.
Baldrick: Except, well, this is sort of a war, isn't it?
Blackadder: That's right. There was one tiny flaw in the plan.
George: Oh, what was that?
Blackadder: It was b
ks.
George: The war started because of the vile Hun and his villainous empire-building.
Blackadder: George, the British Empire at present covers a quarter of the globe, while the German Empire consists of a small sausage factory in Tanganyika. I hardly think we can be entirely absolved from blame on the imperialistic front.
Blackadder: You see, Baldrick, in order to prevent a war in Europe, two super blocs developed: us, the French and the Russians on one side; and the Germans and Austro-Hungary on the other. The idea was to have two vast, opposing armies, each acting as the other's deterrent. That way, there could never be a war.
Baldrick: Except, well, this is sort of a war, isn't it?
Blackadder: That's right. There was one tiny flaw in the plan.
George: Oh, what was that?
Blackadder: It was b
ks. More modern but equally worth watching is the BBC documentary "Death of Yugoslavia" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Yugoslavia-BBC-Allan...
Eric Mc said:
Documentaries on World War 1 are far less extensive, partly because the amount of actual footage from WW1 is a lot less. The BBC made a series in 1965 called "The Great War" which io still looked on as pretty definitive. It was shot in black and white as the UK had not switched over to colour TV in 1965 but that is not too much of a problem as all WW1 footage was in B & W anyway.
Echo all the comments on The World at War, which is a phenomenal series. Eric is also quite right with his comments above with regards to WW1 documentaries. The Great War is a great series, but not quite as "watchable" as World at War, however, I found this a very good introduction to WW1, with excellent narration from Judi Dench.http://www.amazon.co.uk/1914-1918-Great-Shaping-Ce...
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available at Amazon any longer, but you can rent it from Lovefilm or you might find it on eBay or elsewhere.
Basil: Don't mention the war. I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it. So it's all forgotten now and let's hear no more about it. So that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Herman Goering and four Colditz salads....no, wait a minute...I got confused because everyone keeps mentioning the war.
German: Will you stop mentioning the war?
Basil: You started it.
German: We did not start it.
Basil: Yes you did, you invaded Poland...
German: Will you stop mentioning the war?
Basil: You started it.
German: We did not start it.
Basil: Yes you did, you invaded Poland...
Eric Mc said:
I would also highly recommend the documentary series "The Nazis - A Warning from History".
I don't think you'll go far wrong with any of Laurance Rees documentaries on WW2.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nazis-Warning-History-DVD/...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Auschwitz-Nazis-Final-Solu...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/World-War-Behind-Closed-Do...
The last link gives you an option to buy all 3 for £33 as opposed to £70 if you buy them individually which I think is a pretty good deal.
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