The First World War

The First World War

2005, Military and War  -   83 Comments
7.52
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Ratings: 7.52/10 from 298 users.

The First World WarAlthough the First World War gets less attention than its successor, it was really the watershed event of the 20th century.

This conflict shaped the world that came after to this day. It was the catalyst for the rise of soviet communism in Russia, whose unraveling less than a decade and a half ago continues to affect worldwide diplomacy and economics.

Germany's defeat provided the opportunity for fascism and Hitler to come to power there, causing the Second World War and its greater destruction.

The defeat of the Ottoman Empire during the First World War and the diplomatic and political morass that followed was the precursor for the reconstitution of Israel and eventually brought the Middle East into center stage today.

This series is based upon the books and encyclopedic knowledge of Professor Hugh Strachan. It examines every aspect of the war, from its causes to the conduct of the war on and behind the front lines to its aftermath.

In doing so, it covers the diplomatic, political, military and social aspects, each of which played a role in shaping what happened and why. It does not just present the summary facts but goes in depth in its explanations.

For example, instead of simply depicting the spring 1918 German offensive on the western front, it gives detail about how they accomplished it, the attitudes of the troops on each side and the thought processes of the respective high commands.

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Anonymous
Anonymous
2 years ago

Is only the first episode available here? I see at least one reference to the second episode in the comments here; could it be that viewer saw that episode elsewhere but is commenting on it here, and this website offers episode one more or less as a "tease" or advertisement, given as a sample here hoping will purchase on another site? If that's what's happening, not sure I like it or that it's particularly fair. Yes, I'm getting a great documentary for free, but I legitimately thought this might be an educational site and that funded by the BBC or some other tax-supported institution, the documentarians who produced it might be sharing it for educational purposes without necessarily monetizing it. Seems a bit manipulative if that's what's happening.

AlexN
AlexN
3 years ago

7.5/10 good documentary overall and if your interested in this period of history definitely worth a watch. The footage is outstanding. The subjects covered episode by episode is well developed. I do feel, however, that too much is trying to be covered in so little time. Although 8 hours/10 episodes it jumps from one subject to next too rashly. Also, I do not deny British involvement in the war but very little is covered commonwealth nations and their involvement in the conflict. A few historical fallacy

AlexN
AlexN
3 years ago

7.5/10 good documentary overall and if your interested in this period of history definitely worth a watch. The footage is outstanding. The subjects and themes covered episode per episode is well presented . I do feel, however, that too much is trying to be covered too quickly. The episode themselves do not have a sound flow. Also, I do not deny British involvement in the war but very little is covered from the perspective of commonwealth nations. A few historical fallacies can also be identified when watching this documentary. For example, to say that WWI was the first global conflict is flat wrong. In my opinion, not enough is covered from the French perspective. Finally, the attempt to portray Franz Ferdinand as a modern sophisticated monarch is misguiding.

Besides it’s British centric perspective and few bold historical statements the doc is great! Enjoy the watch...

Aistė
Aistė
3 years ago

In the second episode some information could have been included about Germans fighting Russian I and II Armies in 1914 on the East Front as only the map has been shown with no further references.

Barry Colbert
Barry Colbert
3 years ago

Such an Awesome Doc. Top 5 for me, honesty, forthcoming for both sides. Just GREAT !

Jeff
Jeff
5 years ago

British propaganda still going strong. Disappointing.

William
William
6 years ago

I watched this series after listening to an excellent six-part podcast series on the war entitled Blueprint for Armageddon. The podcast is offered under the auspices of Hardcore History by Dan Carlin. Google it. Just amazing, and offers a great deal of information not presented here.

Micah
Micah
7 years ago

Best ever

Robert Smith
Robert Smith
9 years ago

quite brilliant

Annie Stone
Annie Stone
9 years ago

I had to watch these documentaries for school since I got sick for a month and this was my makeup assignment. I had to write a report on each one. I didn't like doing it.

DC
DC
10 years ago

I really enjoyed this documentary, I watched all ten parts. There was so much footage of the war I had never seen before. What also stood out was the use of primary sources - letters home from soldiers, memoirs of great leaders - to explain what and why things happened, as opposed to interviews with historians. This gives the documentary a very non-biased feel. I highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to watch all ten parts.

guest
guest
10 years ago

Also Hitler fought in ww1 so he hated the jews many went trough staveation diet sorry for spelling really late at night

Bradley Morin
Bradley Morin
10 years ago

A great documentary. Doesn't address the whole Rothschild and international bankers role in it all because most people would write that off as ludicrous. Aside from the always interesting banking aspect of war, this series is the most in-depth and well rounded WWI documentary out there. Concise yet detailed, informed yet objective. I have watched about 10 times over the past 4 years. Fine piece of work

Guest
Guest
11 years ago

Is there a better documentary on WWI out there? This one is crap.

lex lexich
lex lexich
11 years ago

trixie nasty little Brit hobbits... no dignity in foolin' them u-boats

Jeremy Parkison
Jeremy Parkison
11 years ago

A very good documentary. I wanted to learn about WWI and that's exactly what I got.

Justin Gregory
Justin Gregory
11 years ago

New Zealand didn't "steal" Samoa. We were requested to seize it from the Germans by Britain. What else did you get wrong in this documentary?
Having said that, what New Zealand did to Samoa after that until independence in 1962 could easily be described as a crime.

Heidi-Lynn Borter
Heidi-Lynn Borter
11 years ago

Very interesting and beautifully portrayed! I wish I had a copy to call my own.

Chris Rogers
Chris Rogers
11 years ago

No @csnski12, to mention in-depth all the soldier groups from various nations would be gratiuitous and pointless. There were far too many such groupings - and incidentally, each earnestly believes that their own soldiers were the very best.
I could name multiple countries that still hold the belief that "their boys" were the elite and were punching well above their weight (but will not, since I'd hate this to degenerate into an argument of the merits of each). This is a pretty dangerous view to harbour in my opinion.

BTW - this series is simply the best WW1 doc I have seen. Focusses on many under-investigated aspects of it all. Especially loved the episode on Revolution.

MickeyWool
MickeyWool
12 years ago

Serbia didn't started the war, don't be ignorant.

Rafael Perez
Rafael Perez
12 years ago

Any truth to the statement that WWI was caused because Germany wanted to build a railroad from Turkey to Iraq to get some of the the newly found oil?

Sarcastic_Drew
Sarcastic_Drew
12 years ago

WW I was sparked not by the killing of Franz Ferdinand but of his ignorant driver. That d-bag should have studied the city's transportation system Ad nauseam, hindering the chances of taking a wrong turn. What a noob... ;)

Michael Samirich
Michael Samirich
12 years ago

There are those who wish to scapegoat the Balkans for the first world war and spread their psycological virus. One of the greatest examples of a small truth being turned into a big lie is that the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the reason for this war, closer to the truth was that it was the excuse.
For four and a quarter years a large part world went on killing each other in unprecidentented scale, and then like little children having a fight in the playground would say, some want to say to the Balkans you started it. For the love of humanity this stupid war should not have been allowed to go on so long. Bring it on bigots and smart alecs.

aaroncalgary
aaroncalgary
12 years ago

so the Irish were 2 days late to get their guns. figures. just pissed

Placeboaddict
Placeboaddict
12 years ago

Amazing series, and supplements "War of the world" nicely.

At a glance, this conflict like uncountable following it, boils down to a manifestation of economic interests of the major players. Every time the blame is passed to the nearest and most obvious of scapegoats, who goes down in popular history as villains. While unnamed bankers/investors can claim their prizes, and reinvest has they see fit. War is business, and a rotten one at that.... this century's revolutions are likely to be very different, hopefully.

It's really troubles me, that even now, the lending habits of nations and major banks are not subject to mandatory publication prior to the loans being issued. How are we ever supposed to know, who we are actually fighting for?

djc200
djc200
12 years ago

I could only get through the first episode, from which I've gathered that during this time in human history, religion and just plain ignorance played a huge role in bringing mankind at arms against each other. It's clearer to me - now more than ever - that peace on earth is truly evolution for humanity. I cannot wait for the day when all nations cease to build objects to destroy one another.

kchief58
kchief58
12 years ago

Amazing Doc. The best on WWI, Excellent

panthera f
panthera f
12 years ago

Humanity= FAIL.

0xDeadBeef
0xDeadBeef
12 years ago

Yes, it was Thanksgiving here in Canada. Great, great doc but I wish it had a little more Canadian content. Not enough people are aware of our own history in this horrible conflict.

magarac
magarac
12 years ago

Can´t help but wonder what Gavrilo Princip would thing of being responsible even if not directly for the death of 77 million people.
The whole shooting Franz Ferdinand idea might not have been one of the best ones ever, but at least he did "something".

mb.herbert
mb.herbert
12 years ago

Who is this Professor Hugh Strachan? Do you mean Professor Hew Francis Anthony Strachan?

bbga
bbga
12 years ago

Excellent documentary on WWI

A must for any student of history

greyspoppa
greyspoppa
12 years ago

Very good doc have owned for about 4 years.

Guest
Guest
12 years ago

For we Americans observe Thanksgiving a little later.

Philio
Philio
12 years ago

What a great doc, there is finally a source for a true historical perspective of the elements of WWI viewed without prejudice. It contains the subservice devices of all sides. No wonder they don’t teach this kind of history any more.

Some of the rhetoric sounds like today’s news. There has got to be a handbook for it somewhere. And we think we have evolved beyond such claptrap. Same old propaganda attacks, same division of the masses, all with the same hopes of a workers paradise, I wonder who’s behind all the protest movements today? I wonder who will spring the trap this time around.

I’ve always wondered why Lennon was so despondent over the revolution. The film clearly shows why he expected a world wide revolution. It was right there for the taking. What a shame but we have the seeds

morgmorg
morgmorg
12 years ago

I hate prequels.

Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams
12 years ago

This doc gives one the best and most accurate portrayals of the first world war I have ever seen.

It reminds me of the Novel "Bomber" written by Deighton.

I think the test of any piece of film, Literature,entertainment that is focused on history, is how well it can transport you into the shoes of the people of the time.

This one does that perfectly, if you have the stomach and the patience!

surely a future classic.

Guest
Guest
12 years ago

@TDF
A War doc on Thanksgiving is not appropriate in my mind. I'll pass. Too many boys at the top. lol
az

edit: i was tempted to take the comment off, but i will leave it here so people can see why i think it was a stupid comment on my part. It was inconsiderate to people of all cultures that come here and do not celebrate or know about Canadian Thanksgiving, it was also inconsiderate to Vlatko who can post as many War docs as he wishes.
AND if you came to watch this doc it was not to read and comment on my view but to comment on this doc...so please do so.
az