The World at War Review: The Definitive Second World War Series
9.5/10 — The World at War (1973)
Pros
- Remarkable first-hand testimony
- Comprehensive coverage
- Olivier's narration
Cons
- Slow, dated style
Made by Thames Television and narrated by Laurence Olivier, The World at War tells the story of the Second World War through archive footage and interviews with participants from all sides. It took years to make.
What works
The interviews with generals, politicians, soldiers and civilians give it powerful first-hand testimony, and the episode on the Holocaust, ‘Genocide’, is hard to forget. Olivier’s narration is dignified, and the scale is ambitious.
Where it falters
The pace and style reflect its era, and our understanding of some events has advanced since.
Verdict
A monumental, authoritative documentary that has lost little of its force.
