Stars: John Thaw

Summary: Features colour film, documenting the reality of war for the people involved. Includes extracts from diaries and letters from those who witnessed Britain at war. Contains three episodes plus extra unbroadcast footage.

WIN DVDs by rating this DVD

Average User Rating:

WIN DVDS by being amongst the first to review this DVD. Reviewing DVDs earns you bonus entries and lets you WIN DVDs!Please login before reviewing this DVD. If you're a new user, register for free and enter to WIN FREE DVDs!

Documentary and newsreel film of World War II has been seen before, but Britain at War--In Colouris different. Much of the footage here was shot unofficially by servicemen and civilians as a personal record of events unfolding, giving the three programmes a more inward, human quality. "Darkest Hour" covers the period from the government's failed policy of appeasement, through the months of misfortune and failure, to the turn of the tide in North Africa late in 1942. "The Beginning of the End" traces the successes in Asia and the Atlantic, through the D-Day landings, to victory in Europe in April 1945. "Unknown Warriors" takes a chronological overview, through the letters and diaries of, and recent interviews with a dozen people caught up in the conflict. It makes for a detailed, informal and moving insight into the impact of war on those who live through it.

On the DVD:The colour film reproduces with excellent clarity in the 4:3 picture format, enhanced by the immediacy of the stereo soundtrack and John Thaw's thoughtful narrative. Each programme has 28, 19 and 12 access points respectively. Thirty minutes of additional footage are welcome, though the five letter and diary pieces add nothing significant. The year-by-year breakdown of events, and key facts linked to 24 Hot Points within the films, make a valuable study aid. Reproductions of 10 original war posters are harmless enough, but the inclusion of William Wyler's hard-hitting 1943 documentary, The Memphis Belle, gives a valuable insight into bombing missions from an American perspective. All in all, this is essential viewing for World War II buffs and newcomers alike. --Richard Whitehouse

Aspect Ratio:	4:3
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Exclusive Footage, Five Letter And Diary Pieces, A Year By Year Breakdown Of Historical Events, Ten Original World War 2 Posters, Key Facts About World War 2 With 24 Hot Points, The Memphis Belle Documentary
Year:	2000
Release Date:	February 5, 2001
Runtime:	218 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	8573 84770 2
Keywords:	World, War, Britain, Back, General, Military, Colour, Held, Documentaries, Biographies
Genre:	Documentaries & Biographies