The War that Changed the Course of History

The War that Changed the Course of History

2017, Military and War  -   15 Comments
8.22
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Ratings: 8.22/10 from 41 users.

The First World War, otherwise known as the Great War, claimed the lives of millions and forever transformed the psyche of each participating nation. The history of that war, and the lessons and legacy it wrought forth, form the basis of the informative documentary The War That Changed the Course of History.

The film traces the origins of the war to the events of June 28, 1914. On that fateful date, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were murdered by a Serbian assassin. Within a month, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, which in turn galvanized the involvement of the Central Powers and their allies, including Britain, Germany and France. World War I was born.

The film packs in a wealth of information in its brief running time, and includes details of each notable skirmish that occurred throughout the duration of the four-year war. It also examines the contributing factors that made this conflict unique among previous wars.

Perhaps no force shifted the character of conflict more profoundly than the Industrial Revolution. The resulting war machinery redefined warfare by land, air and sea, particularly the advent of the rapid fire machine gun, combat aircraft and more sophisticated submarines. These technologies demanded an alteration of antiquated military tactics.

The terrain of the First World War also posed singular challenges. Trench warfare proved tricky, especially in colder climates that saw massive levels of snowfall. As a result, many casualties were unaccounted for and would continue to be discovered within the frozen landscape in the decades that followed. The filmmakers also spotlight the war propaganda efforts of the time as volunteer armies were dwindling and fresh recruits were needed to take their place.

The film contains a cavalcade of fascinating battlefield footage, newspaper headlines and other visual artifacts of the day, including the first known footage of a young Adolf Hitler. The narration moves at a breakneck speed, but it demonstrates a comprehensive and well-rounded view of its subject.

The War That Changed the Course of History is a vital retelling of an often misunderstood or overlooked war. Its impact would continue to resonate throughout the remainder of the century and into our present day.

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Solatle
Solatle
8 months ago

The banksters orchestrated WWI with specific agendas: ending the Russian monarchy and installing the communist regime, dismantling the Ottoman Empire, raising Japan as a belligerent imperialistic pig for WWII, and creating the League of Nations, the first attempt at a world government. The national leaders who were involved in the banksters' murderous ploy were just order-following puppets, one of whom was Woodrow Wilson. Those who died in the war, thinking they were doing some noble acts for their countries, were innocent victims of the crimes against humanity.

M. LaJoie
M. LaJoie
11 months ago

This was obviously produced by ranked amateurs. For instance, the newspaper is obviously post-WWI and pre-WWII, with its stories of Polish Nazis being stripped of their white stockings by Polish authorities. This is just another incompetent rehash.

Alfredo Schulte-Bockholt
Alfredo Schulte-Bockholt
2 years ago

The errors already start at the very beginning when it is claimed that the German Kaiser wanted the Austro-Hungarians to focus on Serbia. Fact is that the German general staff wanted the Austro-Hungarians to focus on the Russians.

William Walker
William Walker
3 years ago

Definitely a really good documentary. Highly advise watching.

also uwu

Christopher S Armstrong
Christopher S Armstrong
5 years ago

Great documentary! Short and to the point!

Douglas Brown
Douglas Brown
5 years ago

I could not find fault with this doco. In its short duration it covered most of the pertinent issues and was able to be brief in doing so. Well done and BOOHoo to all the haters

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

I thought it a decent introduction to a subject that really demands much more time for even a good partial understanding. It's good if it motivates you to learn more about the subject.

amylangrehr
amylangrehr
6 years ago

thanks for your opinion. i played games for fun.

Willam Allan
Willam Allan
6 years ago

Unfortunate about the VO So full of mistakes. E.G. "ethical cleansing" near the end. Awful.

Martin Hedington
Martin Hedington
6 years ago

That's a pity. I've always had an interest in the great war, but to have to listen to a schoolboy voice narrating it with no passion or feeling whatsoever goes way beyond boring, it's incredibly irritating. Parroted facts do not make a documentary interesting, merely factual.

John
John
6 years ago

Ha ha, I can't believe people do this sh*t. They all got what they were after.

John
John
6 years ago

That war was great because it ended all war.

BillieMilo
BillieMilo
6 years ago

This is a must see documentary if you want to know world history (which you should). The narrator is clear and concise, packing the narration with facts and commentary to make sense of a most often misunderstood or not understood at all war. But it is the basic of conflict in our modern age. It was the passage of empires. They should show this in high school.