• 1964
  • 40m
The Great War

Summary One of the greatest achievements of television - aired in 26 episodes from 1964. Use of extensive archival material and sound effects combined with contemporary classical music from this area. View more details

  • 1964
  • 40m

The Great War

Directed : Unknown

Written : Unknown

Stars : Ralph Richardson Michael Redgrave Marius Goring Emlyn Williams

All cast & crew

8.9

Details

Genres : History War Documentary

Release date : May 29, 1964

Countries of origin : Canada Australia United Kingdom

Language : English

Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)

Summary One of the greatest achievements of television - aired in 26 episodes from 1964. Use of extensive archival material and sound effects combined with contemporary classical music from this area. View more details

Details

Genres : History War Documentary

Release date : May 29, 1964

Countries of origin : Canada Australia United Kingdom

Language : English

Production companies : British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC)

Photos

The Great War (1964) The Great War (1964) The Great War (1964) The Great War (1964)

Episodes

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Episode 1 • May 29, 1964
On the Idle Hill of Summer...
The Premier gives a brief historical summary of all the major players in WWI right up to the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Episode 2 • Jun 05, 1964
For Such a Stupid Reason Too
This 2nd installment of the series covers the 5 weeks from the assassination of the Archduke on June 28 through the final declaration of war by the United Kingdom on August 4, 1914.
Episode 3 • Jun 12, 1964
We Must Hack Our Way Through
The 3rd installment of the series covers the first 3 weeks of the war. The initial Belgian resistance caves under withering German artillery fire. Initial victories by the French are quickly reversed, and finally the BEF arrive.
Episode 4 • Jun 19, 1964
Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre
The Schlieffen Plan is continuing according to plan. The Germans suffer loses in the East only to turn the tide of war around. The British Expeditionary Forces engage the Germans, but have to fall back. The loss of Paris seems imminent.
Episode 5 • Jun 26, 1964
This Business May Last a Long Time
The First Battle of the Marne, the Race to the Sea, the Siege of Antwerp and the First Battle of Ypres in the West; Austrian defeats in Serbia and in Galicia; reprisals against Germans in Britain; mass enlistment in the British Empire.
Episode 6 • Jul 03, 1964
So Sleep Easy in Your Beds
For the first 6 months of the war, the Royal Navy did what it could to contain the German navy around the world. It also showed the problems Britain had with its navy.
Episode 7 • Jul 10, 1964
We Await the Heavenly Manna
War in Europe in 1915; German success at the Masurian Lakes; Russian Siege of Przemysl; German Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive; Russian shortage of materiel; Germans use poison gas at Ypres; British munitions shortage; the role of wartime industrial production.
Episode 8 • Jul 17, 1964
Why Don't You Come and Help?
The effects of protracted war on civilian life of the major powers. The sinking of RMS Lusitania, reprisals against foreign nationals. The founding of Lloyd George's Ministry of Munitions, employment of women in the war industry, resulting labor disputes.
Episode 9 • Jul 24, 1964
Please God Send Us Victory
The Ottoman Empire joins the war on the side of the Central Powers. Armenian Genocide and Gallipoli Campaign.
Episode 10 • Jul 31, 1964
What Are Our Allies Doing?
1915 brings little progress for the Allies, but a huge German offensive at Gorlice-Tarnow forces the Russians to retreat in the East. The Allied conference at Chantilly agrees on a strategy of simultaneous attacks in 1916.
Episode 11 • Aug 07, 1964
Hell Cannot Be So Terrible
The Battle of Verdun through June 1916, with a brief look at the civilian life in France at the time.
Episode 12 • Aug 14, 1964
For Gawd's Sake Don't Send Me
The summer of 1916 has the British army getting ready for Battle of the Somme.
Episode 13 • Aug 21, 1964
The Devil Is Coming
Britain fights its first major battle, the Battle of the Somme.
Episode 14 • Aug 28, 1964
All This It Is Our Duty to Bear
Both sides make heroic bids for victory - but what will they have to show for it?
Episode 15 • Sep 04, 1964
We Are Betrayed, Sold, Lost
Early 1917 was the coldest winter know for a long time. It was a difficult time for all armies to survive and to fight. The French army were exhausted in 1917 and they mutinied. A new French army commander helped improved moral.
Episode 16 • Sep 12, 1964
Right Is More Precious Than Peace
The future of the world is changed when America joins the conflict and the Communists come to power in Russia.
Episode 17 • Sep 19, 1964
Surely We Have Perished
The mess and huge loss of life at paschendale. Told through archive footage contemporary memoirs, commentary, music and poetry, narrated and realised by Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Marius Goring, Cyril Luckham and Emlyn Williams.
Episode 18 • Sep 26, 1964
Fat Rodzyanko Has Sent Me Some Nonsense
Russia in the late 1917 was discontented on how the war was going and how the Tsar was running the country. Revolution was going to happen.
Episode 19 • Oct 03, 1964
The Hell Where Youth and Laughter Go
Recounts the war's terrible effects; not just the scale of the loss of life, but also the toll it took upon the human spirit.
Episode 20 • Oct 10, 1964
Only War, Nothing But War
Propaganda and censorship; the u-boat menace at sea. Rationing at home and the greater contribution of women. The struggle to produce sufficient food and war materials; the brief zeppelin raids and other bombing raids on London.
Episode 21 • Oct 17, 1964
It Was Like the End of the World
The start of German Spring Offensives in 1918. Shortage of manpower in Allied lines, German reinforcements from the East. German offensives Operation Michael at the Somme and the Battle of the Lys in Flanders.
Episode 22 • Oct 24, 1964
Damn Them, Are They Never Coming In?
The German attacks falter. The allies struggle. The Americans still haven't arrived. The Germans attack anew and the USA finally arrives in strength.
Episode 23 • Oct 31, 1964
When Must the End Be?
On 17th July 1918, an Allied counter-attack marks the beginning of the end for Germany.
Episode 24 • Nov 07, 1964
Allah Made Mesopotamia... and Added Flies
Stalemate on the Western Front saw Allied generals look for victory via an alternative route - the Middle East.
Episode 25 • Nov 14, 1964
The Iron Thrones Are Falling
Its allies beaten, Germany faces defeat alone.
Episode 26 • Nov 21, 1964
And We Were Young
Relief spreads through the ranks on all sides as history's bloodiest conflict finally comes to an end. With the Armistice now in effect, the Allied countries are overcome by a frenzy of joy and exultation.

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