1: A New Germany | The World at War

Duration: 51'41''

Synopsis

Laurence Olivier narrates the acclaimed documentary series telling the story of World War II. Stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from deep economic depression, Germany responds to the hopes and promises of regained pride and prosperity seemingly offered by Adolf Hitler.

Further Information

More clips from The World at War

10: Wolf Pack | The World at War

10: Wolf Pack | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'34''

German U-boats cause havoc among Allied merchant shipping in the Atlantic.

11: Red Star | The World at War

11: Red Star | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'28''

Following Operation Barbarossa in 1941, the Soviet Army battles the Germans almost alone for two years - with a loss of over 20 million lives.

12: Whirlwind | The World at War

12: Whirlwind | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'59''

While Bomber Command are unable to hit their targets precisely and begin bombing German cities under cover of darkness, the Americans reinfo...

13: Tough Old Gut | The World at War

13: Tough Old Gut | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 50'12''

Churchill described Italy as the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile', thinking the Allies could cut through it to reach Germany. However,...

14: It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow | The World at War

14: It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'12''

As Allied troops prepare to defend Burma, they are confronted in dreadful monsoon conditions by the Japanese, who are well-...

15: Home Fires | The World at War

15: Home Fires | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'06''

After their defeat in the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe changes the direction of bombing raids from London to the provincial cities.

16: Inside the Reich | The World at War

16: Inside the Reich | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'14''

In the summer of 1940, the German forces are the conquerors of western Europe. At home the feeling is that the war is over as German ...

17: Morning | The World at War

17: Morning | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'47''

The story of the 1944 D-Day invasion, in which British, American and Canadian forces launched the largest ever amphibian invasion on the beach...

18: Occupation | The World at War

18: Occupation | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'15''

In 1940, the Germans strike against Holland, a country which has a strong indigenous Nazi movement but also liberal traditions and a courag...

19: Pincers | The World at War

19: Pincers | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'04''

With the liberation of Paris in August 1944 the war seems to be over. However, as the Germans retreat, Poland suffers a tragic episode.

2: Distant War | The World at War

2: Distant War | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'30''

An uneasy calm settles on Britain as Churchill replaces Chamberlain as prime minister.

20: Genocide | The World at War

20: Genocide | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'04''

This edition recounts Himmler's plans to realise Hitler's vision of a pure Aryan Germany. Narrated by Laurence Olivier.

21: Nemesis | The World at War

21: Nemesis | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'55''

As the net closes upon Berlin, Hitler retreats to an underground bunker and faces the end of the Reich with his officers.

22: Japan | The World at War

22: Japan | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 50'36''

A look at Japan's fight for survival in 1944, as the country was crippled by shortages of food, metals and fuel.

23: Pacific | The World at War

23: Pacific | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 50'28''

Ferocious fighting characterises the Allied offensive in the Pacific. The Japanese are fanatical in defence and severe casualties are incurred...

24: The Bomb | The World at War

24: The Bomb | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'07''

This episode looks at the Allied scientists' attempts to develop a new, immensely powerful weapon, and debates the moral implications of its ...

25: Reckoning | The World at War

25: Reckoning | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'03''

This episode looks at the end of the war, and at how the superpowers confronted each other to establish a new political order.

26: Remember | The World at War

26: Remember | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 49'35''

As peace descends in 1945, the series ends with a sombre reminder of the human cost of the bloodiest conflict in history.

3: France Falls | The World at War

3: France Falls | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'05''

France relied on the fortified Maginot Line but the Germans simply skirted it and forged south.

4: Alone | The World at War

4: Alone | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 51'09''

Britain is alone after Dunkirk and facing the Germans across the English Channel. The outlook is grim.

More resources about Life in Nazi Germany

1: Helped into Power | Nazis: A Warning from History

1: Helped into Power | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'29''

Documentary series examining how Hitler came to power. By January 1933, Germany had voted for a chancellor who was openl...

1: Surprise Beginnings | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

1: Surprise Beginnings | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 46'35''

Explores the beginnings of Auschwitz, and how the camp was originally intended for a purpose very differ...

2: Chaos and Consent | Nazis: A Warning from History

2: Chaos and Consent | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'17''

A look at the extraordinary popularity of both Hitler and the Nazis, as well as the astonishing degree of voluntary supp...

2: Orders and Initiatives | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

2: Orders and Initiatives | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 48'09''

Originally a Prisoner of War camp for Soviet soldiers, SS Commander Rudolf Hoss oversaw the transitio...

20: Genocide | The World at War

20: Genocide | The World at War

ITV | 1973 | 52'04''

This edition recounts Himmler's plans to realise Hitler's vision of a pure Aryan Germany. Narrated by Laurence Olivier.

3: Factories of Death | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

3: Factories of Death | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 48'09''

With the increase in killing at Auschwitz and nearby Treblinka, people are showing tremendous courage, li...

3: Spare Parts | Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery

3: Spare Parts | Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery

BBC Four | 2008 | 59'02''

Series about the history of surgery continues with a look at the development of transplant surgery, from a Nazi sympath...

3: The Wrong War | Nazis: A Warning from History

3: The Wrong War | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'23''

A look at how Hitler found himself at war with Britain - a country whose achievements he admired - and allied to his ideolog...

4: Corruption | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

4: Corruption | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 47'23''

Eyewitnesses recall how those in power at Auschwitz lined their pockets with wealth stolen from Jewish inmates wh...

4: The Wild East | Nazis: A Warning from History

4: The Wild East | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'10''

This film provides insights into how the Nazis' reign of terror in Poland was characterised by huge population upheavals, ch...

5: Frenzied Killing | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

5: Frenzied Killing | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 47'49''

The deportation of Hungary's Jews in 1944 precipitated the most intensive slaughter in Auschwitz's history.

6: Fighting to the End | Nazis: A Warning from History

6: Fighting to the End | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 48'22''

Examining the rise of the Nazis and their impact. Fear and hatred of Bolshevism drove many Germans to fight to the bit...

6: Liberation and Revenge | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

6: Liberation and Revenge | Auschwitz: the Nazis and the Final Solution

BBC Two | 2005 | 47'13''

Last in series about the Nazi concentration camp looks at the fate of the remaining prisoners and the...

Chancellor Franz von Papen | Rise of the Nazis

Chancellor Franz von Papen | Rise of the Nazis

BBC Two | 2019 | 3'50''

Schleicher encourages Hindenburg to appoint Franz von Papen as Chancellor, who is seen to be easy to manipulate.

Disability in Nazi Germany | Nazis: A Warning from History

Disability in Nazi Germany | Nazis: A Warning from History

BBC Two | 1997 | 4'46''

The development of Nazi policies of killing children born with disabilities.

Downfall (2004)

Downfall (2004)

BBC Four | 2014 | 2'25'03''

As defeat looms, the increasingly unhinged Adolf Hitler readies himself for the end and makes his final declarations to a dwindling crowd of loyalists.

Episode 2 | D-Day: The Last Heroes

Episode 2 | D-Day: The Last Heroes

BBC One | 2013 | 58'43''

The concluding part of historian Dan Snow's documentary series tells the powerful and heroic stories of those who risked their lives on th...

Episode 2 | Lost Home Movies of Nazi Germany

Episode 2 | Lost Home Movies of Nazi Germany

BBC Four | 2019 | 58'59''

Amateur footage of frontline and civilian stories that offers new insights into life and atrocities in WWII Germany and the occu...

God Bless You, Mr Chamberlain

God Bless You, Mr Chamberlain

BBC Two | 1988 | 1'00'44''

Program marking the 50th anniversary of the Munich Agreement. Robert Harris finds in Chamberlain a strong man who believed he was right to hope...

Himmler and the SS | Rise of the Nazis

Himmler and the SS | Rise of the Nazis

BBC Two | 2019 | 3'01''

Himmler and the black shirts (the SS) arrest thousands of political prisoners, and open the first 're-education' camp in Dachau.