Features colour film, documenting the reality of war for the people involved. Includes extracts from diaries and letters.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43201 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-02-05
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 218 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Documentary and newsreel film of World War II has been seen before, but Britain at War--In Colour is 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

Video Description
Contains the entire TV series plus features and footage exclusive to DVD.
The three episodes Darkest Hour, The Beginning of the End, and Unknown Warriors .
Exclusive footage not seen on TV
Five letter and diary pieces with additional footage
A year by year breakdown of historical events
Ten original World War II posters
Key facts about World War II with twenty four Hot Points linking back to relevant footage within the series
The Memphis Belle , the moving wartime documentary directed by Hollywood legend William Wyler

Synopsis
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.

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Customer Reviews

An excellent insight to life in Britain during World War 2
Another excellent series made by Carlton Television on the life of people during World War 2. Actor John Thaw gives an excellent narration through out this insight to life for Britons during this terrible time in world history. To complement John Thaw's descrpitions of life of people, are small, true stories of people who were affected, whetherby good or bad events during the war. This DVD is an excellent watch for anyone who wants to know more on this terrible time in world history and an ideal documentary who can onlypicture the second world war in Black and White! The colour footage shown in this documentary is of an amazing quality, as was the footage in the Prequel Documentary The Second War in Colour. This DVD is a memory-jerker for people who lived their lives during the war, whether as a child or adult - and a real eye-opener for the rest of us. "Lest we forget..."

The real thing!
Although I bought this DVD for the original William Wyler film of the Memphis Belle, which is an extra on this disc, the title content is itself a fascinating insight into the reality of the war as seen by the ordinary people who lived through it. Composed of contemporary film, letters and diaries, its authenticity is its strong point.

Great documentory
Super series fantastic that we can still hear the voice of John Thaw. The extras on this dvd are fantastic this is one that should be shown in schools.