In the early 1960s the BBC embarked on one of their most important and
ambitious series ever. It was to be the definitive history of the First World
War, complete in twenty-six 40-minute episodes. An inspired account of the
world-shattering events of 1914-1918, The Great War is narrated by Sir Michael
Redgrave and employs the voice skills of many other leading actors of the day
including Sir Ralph Richardson and Marius Goring.
The series includes
authentic archive footage and stunning photographic images gathered from 37
separate sources around the world. It also features interviews with many
veterans of the war (by this time most were still only in their 60s), as well as
almost 150 separate extracts from diaries, letters and reports from the war.
 | All This It Is Our Duty to Bear |
| We Are Betrayed, Sold, Lost |
| Right Is More Precious than Pease |
| "surely we have perished" |
| Fat Rodzyanko Has Sent Me Some Nonsense |
| The Hell Where Youth and Laughter Go |
| Only War, Nothing but War |
| It Was like the End of the World |
| "damn them, are they never coming in?" |
| "when must the end be?" |
| "Allah made Mesopotamia - and added flies" |
| "the iron thrones are falling" |
| "... and we were young" |
In 1914, the world was on the brink of enormous change. Worried by increasing German militarism, the French and the British entered into the Entente Cordiale against Germany and her allies, splitting Europe into opposing sides. Two shots would ignite the powder keg.
This programme details the events between June 28th 1914 and the declarations of war.
Following the declaration of war, the German army began to carry out one of the most famous military plans in history. Known as the Schlieffen Plan, its objective was to finish the war in 40 days.
How the British Army fought its first battle at the belgian town of Mons. Despite initial success, the British infantry were forced into retreat after two weeks. Yet as the Germans pressed forward to Paris, apparently invincible, French Commander-in-Chief General Joffre slowly began to build a more solid resistance - which would lead ultimately to Allied victory.
The Battle of the Marne results in a decisive victory for Allied forces, and the phenomenon of trench warfare begins to emerge at Aisne.
Britannia no longer rules the waves as the Royal Navy suffers shattering defeats, the worst being at Coronel, off the Chilean coast.
Industrial production is failing to keep up with the Allied war effort, and shortages of materiel are beginning to appear on the front line.
Minister of Munitions David Lloyd George struggles to modernise Britain's industrial capability, but gradually succeeds with American aid.
By Christmas 1914, the bloody impasse in the trench lines on the Western Front saw Lord Kitchener looking elsewhere for victory. In an attempt to seize control of strategic Turkey, a British Navel expedition advanced on the Dardanelles, and Allied troops landed at Gallipoliwith the aim of taking Constantinople. However, events did not go according to plan and after 37 weeks, soldiers were evacuated from the beaches.
1915 brings little progress for the Allies, but a huge German offensive at Gorlice-Tarnow forces the Russians to retreat in the East. The Allied conference at Chantilly agrees on a strategy of simultaneous attacks upon the Central Powers in 1916.
One of the bloodiest battles in history, the fighting at Verdun continues throughout the year 1916. French and German forces suffer over 700,000 casualties.
Following Lord Kitchener's appeal in 1916, the British Army was reinforced by over two million volunteers. Despite the reservations of General Sir Douglas Haig, the new Commander-in-Chief, many of these mew recruits were sent to the scene of Britain's biggest military endevour - The Battle of the Somme.
The Battle of the Somme - which began in July 1916 and continued into February 19 - leaves 415,000 Brits in a muddy grave.
Both sides make heroic bids for victory - but what will they have to show for it?
The French Army is rallied for a great spring offensive - but mutiny looms when the plans fall foul of the Germans.
The future of the world is changed when America joins the conflict and the Communists come to power in Russia.
On the Western Front in 1917, the British fought alone for three-and-a-half months during one of the wettest summers Flanders has ever seen. The horrific battle of Passchendale features in episode 17 of the 1964 series.
Russia's short-lived democracy is examined.
This episode recounts the war's terrible effects; not just the scale of the loss of life, but also the toll it took upon the human spirit .
Exploring how modern ideas of states' responsibility for their citizens grew out of the horror of "total war".
The story of the German offensive of March 1918, a desperate gamble to grab victory at a stroke.
As Allied troops fall back in confusion under a German counter-attack, they wait for the arrival of US reinforcements.
The first Allied counter attack against the German onslaught in July 1918.
Stalemate on the Western Front saw Allied generals look for victory via an alternative route - the Middle East.
Its Allies beaten, Germany faces defeat alone.
The last phase of the war.