Wir waren Soldaten - Vergessene Filme des Zweiten Weltkrieges

Having seen the 1970's World At War series plus many other WWII old color documentaries I was not expecting much new in WWII in HD. Much to my surprise I found the entire series absolutely compelling and I watched it all in one day recorded off the TV. It is so much more than just restored old color movie clips (that are very far from HD quality). The story-telling around a number of real-life American war veterans, including recent interviews with them, brings the five year history of the US role in WWII into fresh focus today. The role of Allied military forces is barely covered, however, furthering the misconception that the US alone won the war. Although the story jumps between war theaters around the world the brilliant editing shocks the senses with scene after scene of the horrifying cruelty inflicted on soldiers and civilians throughout the world. Graphic footage of blasted bodies and wounded children is very hard to watch but the end result is the most effective anti-war film I have ever seen. The fanatical resistance of the Japanese military plus their diabolical cruelty caused tens of thousands of US soldiers to die in epic battles on small Pacific islands. Now I understand better why Truman decided to drop the atomic bombs rather than risk up to a million more US soldier deaths in an invasion of the Japanese mainland (I just wish he had given civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few hours to evacuate beforehand). The combination of actual color footage plus unique editing makes this series a must-see even if it takes nearly eight hours to watch. Very highly recommended.

I cannot get enough of this series. I think it is the best done thus far. It is much better than Ken Burns's documentary, in my opinion.

The footage is unbelievable. The personal stories are heart wrenching. I love the way they go back and forth from the actual people, who are in their 80's now, and the actors voicing the story. Perfect. WWII In HD is well thought out and produced documentary. They could easily take this and turn into a dramatic mini-series. Hmmm, note to self...

It also has a great soundtrack. I wonder if they will offer it in stores or online.It's just so moving. Well done. Now let's see one on Korea and Vietnam.

WWII in HD is (in my opinion) one of the best series History has produced in the last few years. In it's storytelling style it is cohesive, which is surprising because most project such as this, with multiply narratives, skip around. However, WWII in HD flows smoothly, its transitions between characters and resolutions to every episode is clean cut without being dismissive.

It is unrelenting in its pace without loosing the core of the story or demeaning them. At times, it is horrifying (the opening episode to the series, Darkness Falls, comes to mind) and at other times, it is triumphant and then the next second, heartbreaking. The vast views of the war (from a combat nurse to infantry to war correspondents) to the amount of theaters included (North Africa to Europe, a mention of Mediterranean and to the Pacific) WWII in HD sets itself apart incredibly well.

Unlike a previous review said, this documentary wasn't meant to be an in depth view at the theaters of war, but rather an examination of what the characters experienced. If you want a general overview that rehashes the same Brass-oriented view of the war, then by all means, go watch World War II in Color. This program was about the people, what it was like for someone on the front lines - whether that meant caring for the wounded, or carrying a weapon - instead of hearing the same rehashed story from a General's view. The narration of each character is very distinct, all incredibly memorable and each bring something to the program. I'd definitely recommend this program to anyone and everyone.

I give an 8/10 just because I wish they had included more of the Mediterranean and the China-Burma-India theater.

The Series starts with an astonishing shot of New York Grand Central Station passing from 2009 to 1939. It also shows magnificent shots of the most famous WWII campaigns like the Attack on Pearl Harbor, D-Day, War at the Pacific. Really great shots. I think the main title maybe miss the point, but it is the second one is accurate. We do not really have high-definition quality of WWII footage, but the best I have ever seen. I think it is impossible to improve the quality of this kind of material to real HD, because of its source material, which of poorly quality itself. For me the creators of this series restored footage on WWII at a really high level. I think the color is its what this series makes successful. This type of documentary is a new look of WWII, because of color footage and lost and unseen films. Comparing to another good documentary "World at War" I prefer "WWII in HD" because of its original new style of showing WWII. The first one shows more details of the campaigns but the second one is the essence of the war. Series shows War simultaneously through interesting real-life stories and historical lessons with convincing, brutal footage supported by color. The stories are convincing and intensified by really interesting testimonies of the war veterans. From this series I found out lots of interesting things about Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the longest serving American President. I did not know this figure almost at all. I think he passed to history by becoming the greatest American president of all time. I highly recommend this series. It is a memorable and haunting series about WWII, so I gave it maximum rating.

The first thing many viewers tend to do, myself included, is compare this to the 2007 World War II series by Ken Burns. I won't rate the two except to say they are both exceptional works of film. The main difference is the amount of color and gruesome scenes in "WWII In HD" and the amount of time devoted to the home front in "Ken Burns' The War." Other than that, both offer a very emotional ride. The amount of amazing stories that come out of World War II seem limitless.

The most striking thing about this series (1) was all the color photography; (2) were all the gruesome scenes of mutilated, dead bodies and men clinging to life; (3) the emphasis on the Pacific Theater. I really appreciated the latter because this all the intense and brutal battles on those Pacific islands have never gotten "the play" the European Theater has received via movies, TV shows and documentaries. Far more people know all about Hilter and his Nazi regime than they do about exactly what went on in places like Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and other islands. The carnage and what happened in those places was unbelievable to me. This program did an amazing job of education us on that key element of World War II.

I received a PM from a man who worked on this project and he detailed some of the problems they had in bringing this to us, the public. I thank him, though, and all who worked on it for a memorable TV series, to say the least! Great stuff. I was very sorry to send it end, which is the highest compliment I can give it.