I've been an avid watcher of this documentary for the past several years now on the Military Channel. Based on Hugh Strachan's book of the same name, I think it's one of the better presentations and elaborations of World War I. (Many persons aren't so aware of the intricacies thereof - for instance how some of the ethnic violence in Eastern Europe at the time mirrored what we saw in Serbia and Kosovo in 1995). In any case, I'm just wanting feedback from any others who might be familiar with the program or book.

Thanks for the heads up,

I haven't heard of this series, but I'll look it up.

I know both, the book and the documentary series, and both are indeed very well done;
but to be honest, I found "The Last Voices of WW1" much much more impressive and touching!
this must be one of the best, if not the best WW1 documentary (or war documentary for that part) ever done for TV!
just to listen to those people who lived through it, saw their friends and comrades die, the tears in their eyes after all those years, that�s much more gripping and impressive than seeing old footage but with rather cold modern day commentary added.

just my two cents ...

I own the series, good purchase.

The BBC series: The Great War, came out nearly fifty years ago. With faultless narration by Ralph Richardson and others, it is certainly one of the best if not the best presentations of the war to remind us to end all wars.

Interesting. I've never heard of this documentary. I'll have to see if the History Channel broadcasts it here as well, as I find the First World War a very interesting subject.

Jaz

conincidentally there are several other very good BBC Timewatch docs about WW1 that were aired recently;
there is one about the two aces McCudden and Mannock and one, that is very touching as well, about the last day of World War 1;
it was interesting to see how many soldiers were sent on senseless attacks (especially US ones-Gen. Persing did not think much about the ceasefire, he wanted to march on Berlin and force an unconditional surrender of Germany) and died on the last day of the war, some literally minutes before the ceasefire went into effect;
Michael Palin hosts this doc, its very worth watching if you come across it....

I have seen this one a few times. It was compelling. And yet again illustrated how useless the whole war was really.

The other program you mention above I will have to go on the lookout for. I can't imagine History Channel in the US broadcasting something as substantive as this.

You would be correct. If it's not a reality show or some show where stuff is being made and built then it won't be on the "History" Channel.

I was wondering when you'd poke your nose in here Panzer. No doubt the History Channel bashing opportunity was too good to pass by?

Apparently you can watch the whole series here:

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-first-world-war/

It is good (though a while since I read it) - I have the hardback. He also is writing a trilogy on the war. I have been meaning to get the first volume "To arms" - it looks very good.

A bit like Sumption's series on the Hundred Year's War, I sometimes wonder if he'll live to finish it...

Yes.. I've heard it's quite a tome.

Heck, even PBS doesn't show WWI and WWII documentaries anymore.

The History Channel of 10 years ago showed those things. Ah, the glory days of cable. Mirrored that of flight sims, actually. Same years!



The Jedi Master

Listen to the music in them and you will find some of it quite familiar if you played certain games. Panzer General 3D being one of them that comes to mind.


Wheels