The Great War

Seasons

1964

8.9

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.

Episode List

S1 • E1

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.

S1 • E2

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.

S1 • E3

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.

S1 • E4

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.

S1 • E5

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.

S1 • E6

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.

S1 • E7

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.

S1 • E8

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.

S1 • E9

Please God Send Us Victory

The Ottoman Empire joins the war on the side of the Central Powers. Armenian Genocide and Gallipoli Campaign.

S1 • E10

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.

S1 • E11

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.

S1 • E12

For Gawd's Sake Don't Send Me

The summer of 1916 has the British army getting ready for Battle of the Somme.

S1 • E13

The Devil Is Coming

Britain fights its first major battle, the Battle of the Somme.

S1 • E14

All This It Is Our Duty to Bear

Both sides make heroic bids for victory - but what will they have to show for it?

S1 • E15

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.

S1 • E16

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.

S1 • E17

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.

S1 • E18

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.

S1 • E19

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.

S1 • E20

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.

S1 • E21

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.

S1 • E22

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.

S1 • E23

When Must the End Be?

On 17th July 1918, an Allied counter-attack marks the beginning of the end for Germany.

Allah Made Mesopotamia... and Added Flies

S1 • E24

Allah Made Mesopotamia... and Added Flies

Stalemate on the Western Front saw Allied generals look for victory via an alternative route - the Middle East.

S1 • E25

The Iron Thrones Are Falling

Its allies beaten, Germany faces defeat alone.

S1 • E26

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.