The Great War (Doc Series 1964)

The Great War is a 26-episode documentary series from 1964 on the First World War. Narrated by Michael Redgrave, with readings by Marius Goring, Ralph Richardson, Cyril Luckham, Sebastian Shaw and Emlyn Williams. The documentary was a co-production of the Imperial War Museum, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The music for the series was composed by Wilfred Josephs. It was performed by the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra conducted by George Hurst. Much use was made of 20th Century symphonies, including Shostakovitch's 11th Symphony and Vaughan Williams' Sinfonia Antartica'. The episode titles are taken from quotations, the origins of which are shown in parentheses. With few exceptions, successive blocks of episodes are devoted to each year of the war: episodes 1–6 to 1914, 7–10 to 1915, 11–14 to 1916, 15–19 to 1917, 20–23 and 26 to 1918. Episode 1 - 1914: "On the Idle Hill of Summer..." (A. E. Housman) Profiles of the five European powers engaged at war's start: German Empire, French Third Republic, United Kingdom, Russian Empire and Austria-Hungary. The Balkan Wars and the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

Episode 2 - 1914: "For Such a Stupid Reason Too..." (Queen Mary) Political consequences of the assassination: the July Crisis. Austrian pressure on Serbia, involvement of Russia and Germany, the Schlieffen Plan and diplomatic exchanges leading to the British declaration of war on Germany.

Episode 3 - 1914: "We Must Hack Our Way Through" (Bethmann-Hollweg) The start of war in the West. German invasion of Belgium, the Battle of Liège and subsequent atrocities. French advances and retreats in Alsace-Lorraine and the Ardennes, the deployment of the British Expeditionary Force. Interviewees include Edward Spears and Euan Rabagliati. IWM Interview with Euan Rabagliati https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80021542

Episode 4 - 1914: "Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre" (1914 jingle) The events preceding the First Battle of the Marne. The fighting retreat of BEF and the French in the West, Russian invasion of East Prussia and German counter-attack at Tannenberg. The Battle of Mons, the First Battle of Guise and preparations for the defence of Paris. Interviewees include Robert Cotton Money and Edward Spears. WM Interview with Frederick Atkinson https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80003987

Episode 5 - 1914: "This Business May Last a Long Time" (Rudolf Binding) The stabilisation of the fronts. The First Battle of the Marne, the Race to the Sea, the Siege of Antwerp and the First Battle of Ypres in the West; Austrian defeats in Serbia and in Galicia in the East. Reprisals against Germans in Britain, mass enlistment in the British Empire and Christmas at the front lines. Interviewees include Edward Spears and Henry Williamson.

Episode 6 - 1914: "So Sleep Easy in Your Beds" (Admiral Fisher) The first months of war at sea. Naval supremacy of the Royal Navy and its vulnerabilities to mine and submarine warfare. The seizure of German overseas colonies, the Siege of Tsingtao, the raids of the Emden and the pursuit of Maximilian von Spee. The naval Battle of Heligoland Bight, Battle of Coronel, Battle of the Falkland Islands and the Battle of Dogger Bank. IWM Interview with Ernest Amis https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80003986

Episode 7 - 1915: "We Await the Heavenly Manna..." (Nikolai Yanushkevich - Russian General) War in Europe in the first half of 1915. German success at the Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes, Russian Siege of Przemyśl, German Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive and Russian collapse due to severe shortage of materiel. German use of poison gas at the Second Battle of Ypres, British munitions shortage and the role of wartime industrial production. Interviewees include Gustav Lachmann.

Episode 8 - 1915: "Why Don't You Come and Help?!" (Lloyd George) The effects of protracted war on civilian life of the major powers, with focus on Britain. The sinking of RMS Lusitania, reprisals against foreign nationals. The founding of Lloyd George's Ministry of Munitions, employment of women in the war industry, resulting labour disputes. Interviewees include Norman Demuth and Walter Greenwood.

Episode 9 - 1915: "Please God Send Us a Victory..." (soldiers prayer) The Ottoman Empire joins the war on the side of the Central Powers. Armenian Genocide and Gallipoli Campaign. IWM Interview with Joseph Murray who appears in this episode https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80008002

Episode 10 - 1915: "What Are Our Allies Doing?" (Russian General) The war in the latter half of 1915, marked by successes of Central Powers. German and Austrian advance in the East, Russian withdrawal. Italy enters the war on the Allied side, attacking Austria and is stopped at the river Battles of the Isonzo. The Allied offensive in the Second Battle of Champagne and Third Battle of Artois falters. Serbia is overrun by German and Austrian troops, with Bulgaria joining the war in this operation, on the side of the Central Powers. Allied relief troops land in Salonika but are delayed by Greek internal politics, while Serb and Montenegrin forces and civilians flee through Albania to Corfu. IWM Interview with Richard Talbot Kelly, who appeared in "What Are Our Allies Doing?" & "Surely We Have Perished": https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80016340