Apocalypse: The Second World War Review: The War in Colour
9/10 — Apocalypse: The Second World War (2009)
Pros
- Striking colourised footage
- Rare archive material
- Clear narrative
Cons
- Colourisation is controversial
- Light on detail
Directors Isabelle Clarke and Daniel Costelle’s six-part series uses colourised archive footage to tell the story of the war, from the Nazi rise to the atomic bomb. The English-language version is narrated by Martin Sheen.
What works
The colourisation adds immediacy, making the footage feel closer to us, and the series includes rarely seen material. The narration is compelling, and the series provides a clear overview of the global conflict.
Where it falters
Colourisation can distort historical film, and the narration is sweeping rather than detailed.
Verdict
An accessible, striking overview of the war.
