quote:
Due to modern film making, this is one of the most underrated (for my generation) documentaries of all time. Certainly the most underrated WWII documentary.

I hate that the kids don't get more exposure to this. It is stupidly high quality from a content standpoint. Sir Laurence Olivier doing the narration. The one-on-one interviews of folks from all levels of involvement, from those who were kids, to those were at upper echelons - just incredibly, comprehensibly put together in such a way that cannot be matched by third party accounts or even Ken Burns excellent method of having voice actors for historical individuals.

Now, it isn't perfect, but about as close as there is. Anyone studying WWII by reviewing documentary (and dramatic) films and series from the era are at a disadvantage if they don't watch The World at War, period.

(Full disclosure, I'm a military historian.)

This post was edited on 10/11/17 at 10:08 am

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Posted by Champagne

Already Conquered USA.

Member since Oct 2007

48499 posts

Posted on 10/11/17 at 11:42 am to Ace Midnight

I have seen it. IMHO it is out-dated. I like the interviews with the participants. Very important to see for all interested in learning about the conflict. I think we have to keep in mind that what people say in an interview on for example 24 October 1970 may not accurately and fully reflect their thoughts on the matter during the war. And, who knows? They may have changed their mind later. Who knows? They may have expressed an opinion based on wrong information. So interviews are certainly not infallible but they are valuable.

IMHO, WaW documentary provides a nice overview for those beginning to show interest in learning more about WW2.

The whole conflict is probably too complex to allow any adequate coverage in any kind of film documentary. As such, I doubt that any new film documentary can improve very greatly on WaW. But as with any film documentary, don't take what you learn as the absolute final word, because the archives may say something different.

This post was edited on 10/11/17 at 11:45 am

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