War of the Century

Long (originally four 50 minute parts release on DVD as one long program) but gripping account of the war between Stalin and Hitler that changed the course of the Second World War and the world. The film focuses just on the battle between the two nations and very little else. If it doesn't relate to the Hitler Stalin tussle its not included. Starting with the briefest of set ups to put the battle in context the film just tackles the war in a way that has rarely been done before.

As the film opens Hitler is feeling invincible but unsure what lay ahead since an invasion of England was far from certain and because the United States was coming into the war. Stalin knows war with Hitler is becoming but he never suspects that it would be sooner rather than later. As Hitler's troops began to amass for the attack Stalin still couldn't believe the attack was coming.

And then the dogs of war are set loose.

What follows are three of the most gripping hours I've seen on the Second World War. Bouncing between those who fought for the Germans, those who fought for the Soviets and those caught in the middle, this is as close as you are going to get to being there as you can get sixty years after the fact. Events are not just recounted but also explained we get into the mind set on both sides that caused things to happen. For example a German general is asked about an order he signed ordering the deaths of all Soviet political officers, was it not a terrible thing? The general then explains how the order came about and how it was handled matter of factly and in the course of daily activity.It just was another thing in the chain. Later the same general tries to explain (quite well actually) how many of the things that were done because how he and his fellows viewed the world differently. He doesn't excuse them, he simply asks that we look at the world from his perspective at the time. Seeing things not with our eyes today but the eyes of those in the thick of things changes what we feel.

Ultimately no one on either side is spared. The Soviet troops come off as badly as the Germans with the nastiness of the partisan soldiers being in a way more horrific since it was cruelty against its own people, The partisans should have cared, but ultimately didn't.

The story of the long slog to ruin bounces between the towns and villages over run up to the leaders in their palaces. We see the Soviet leader's uncertainty about what to do. And we see how early attempts to sue for peace lead to later executions as Stalin and his comrades had to cover up any notion that they would have ever even thought of surrender. We see how the Germans scramble as things don't go the way they thought they would (damn their timetable) Its program that you watch compulsively and will want to see repeatedly. Frankly there is just so much to this story you have to re-watch it. I was not even half way in and realized that I was missing stuff or that something I had just seen related to something earlier in such away that I wanted to go back and see it again for further clarification. Its a film thats filled with numerous "oh I see..." moments.

Not to put too fine a point on it, this is one of the best documentaries on the Second World War I've seen.

Close enough to 10 out of 10 to be a 10.

This is a remarkable achievement (originally, four 50 minute episodes, but presented here as a 200 minute continuous whole on the DVD), unique in its content, style, and focus.

Some will say, 'I've seen this type of thing before - grainy black & white footage, while an erudite British voice intones in the background'. Or, 'more "war and Nazis"?; how many of these can the history channel show?' In fact, this film is unique. Anyone with the slightest interest in the second world war should consider it a 'must see'.

For the uninitiated, it provides a comprehensive and stirring presentation of what is arguably the most important battle of the most important war of the 20th, and possibly, any, century. For those more familiar with World War II and its history, stories, and tragedy, this documentary fills in a huge hole. A hole that has been present in virtually every non-Soviet-produced film of its kind - the hole that is the battle on the Eastern Front. This production, especially by its frequent and masterful use of archival footage and its inclusion of first-person accounts by the victors (Soviets), the vanquished (Germans), and the eternally oppressed (the innocent civilians of all stripes), has filled the gap.

Here, one is spared nothing. The atrocities are graphically presented (13 million Soviet civilians died, and millions more of its soldiers perished as well). But the inclusion of such horrors is not just for shock value (as shocking it is). No, the viewer is considered sophisticated and interested enough to be informed of the more fundamental reasons for the slaughter.

The enormity of the atrocities notwithstanding, the film also details and chronicles the more "usual" battles of the campaign. And here, it has few rivals - comprehensive, endowed with multiple first-person accounts (some disarmingly non-contrite), and an impressive amount of (what I presume to be) previously unseen color footage. The net effect is to convey to the viewer a picture, and a lesson, which few, if any, other documentaries of its kind are able.

This is a remarkable film. If you have even the slightest curiosity about the "war in the east", get it. You will not be disappointed.

Well directed with excellent interviews and footage. I found it amazing how good the interviewed witnesses looked, some 55 years later. All witnesses had photos of themselves from the era.

Only problem is, there are maybe two episodes missing. Episode three ends with the Nazis surrendering at Stalingrad in February 1943. Episode four begins in June of 1944. What happened during those 16 intervening months ?? No mention of Kursk. No discussion of how the Russians clawed there way 1000 miles to the border of Germany. Episode four is mostly wrap up and discussion of war crimes and aftermath, very little detail on the military campaign.

As an American born and raised in the United States, our schools do not teach much of anything about the Eastern Front of World War II. This documentary series was my first real exposure to that part of history, and it is as amazing as it is disturbing.

The series is a combination of objective historical facts and numerous first hand accounts from all sides of a conflict that gave us some of the largest battles in human history and some of the most horrific atrocities.

It was not a perfect series, of course. "War of the Century" curiously omits the battle of Kursk, which was the largest tank battle ever. It also made no mention of the sinking of the Wilhem Gustloff, which is the worst maritime disaster ever.

Still, as an overview of that WWII front often ignored by American schools and entertainment, it is a great watch and very informative.

I hate this kind of documentary, Russians are the assasains vs nazis, WTF!!!