The World at War

A documentary series that gives a historical account of the events of World War II, from its roots in the 1920s to the aftermath and the lives it profoundly influenced.

The World at War (1973-1974) is a British documentary series created for ITV1 that traces the Second World War from its roots in the 1920s through to its aftermath and the lives it reshaped. Narrated by Laurence Olivier, the single season of twenty-six hour-long episodes is built from archive footage and interviews with soldiers, civilians, and officials who lived through the conflict. Rather than a single protagonist, the engine is the sweep of history itself: each episode takes on a theatre, a campaign, or a home front and follows how decisions made in capitals filtered down to ordinary people. The approach is sober and authoritative, with grave expository narration that lets testimony carry the emotional weight. Its scale is that of a full historical survey, moving across Europe, the Pacific, and the wartime home fronts. The tone is solemn, measured, and often harrowing, with unflinching footage of combat and atrocity. Viewers searching for a comprehensive wwii documentary, a historical series built on veterans' testimony, or a rigorous war history with classic narration will find it resonant. Fans of Ken Burns: The War and The Great War will recognize its tradition of archival storytelling. The series remains a benchmark of the form, valued for its breadth and its refusal to simplify the war.

Widely regarded as a landmark documentary that captures the full scope of the Second World War with authority, powerful testimony and lasting influence on the form.

• The Great War (1964)shared documentary format of sweeping archival war history told through interviews and narration
• Ken Burns: The Warshared landmark television documentary treatment of twentieth century conflict with testimony and archive footage
• Band of Brothersshared sober authoritative tone surveying the Second World War through first-hand testimony

Release Date

1973-10-31

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

9.2 / 10 (189)

What is The World at War about?

A landmark 1970s documentary series chronicling World War II from its roots in the 1920s through its aftermath, narrated by Laurence Olivier.

What is The World at War like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The World at War as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.

Is The World at War violent?

Yes. Ember rates the violence in The World at War as graphic.

What did critics think of The World at War?

Widely regarded as a landmark documentary that captures the full scope of the Second World War with authority, powerful testimony and lasting influence on the form.

Which shows are like The World at War?

Shows with a similar feel include The Great War (1964), Ken Burns: The War, and Band of Brothers.

How long is The World at War?

The World at War: 1 season, 26 episodes.

Is The World at War still running?

No, The World at War has ended.

Where can I watch The World at War?

In United States, The World at War is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.