World War II: The Lost Color Archives

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[edit] General Information

War Documentary hosted by Edward Herrmann, published by History Channel in 2000 - English narration

[edit] Cover

[edit] Information

In the 1980s determined researchers began scouring the world for color film shot during World War II, and the result of their quest is spectacular. Seeing the war through the ubiquitous black-and-white footage has always made the experience somewhat distant, but in clear, crisp color, the enormity of the war and its horrors is startling and dramatic. Films of Nazi rallies are all the more disturbing; a viewer seeing the scene in color realizes the massive crowds saluting Hitler are no longer gray and faceless masses, but gatherings of well- dressed civilians. Color combat footage, from across Europe and the Pacific, is frighteningly immediate, and some of it, showing the wounded, the dead, and even prisoners being executed, will no doubt be disturbing for many viewers. Violence and destruction on an unimaginable scale is vividly put on display, as are smaller moments of soldiers smiling for the camera or liberated prisoners from the concentration camps staring in pained bewilderment. The episodes, produced by the History Channel, are introduced by veteran journalist Roger Mudd, and the narration for each individual segment typically contains excerpts from letters and diaries describing events close to those depicted in the film footage. The footage used is of a surprisingly high quality (much of it was shot and stored away, virtually unseen for decades), and it provides a stunning look at how the war appeared to those fighting it.

[edit] A New World Order

Beginning with pre-war footage of Germany and Adolf Hitler, this episode goes on to cover the first year of the war, 1941. Subject areas include the German invasion of Poland and France as well as Britain's ill-fated defense of her: the formation of the British Home Defense forces; the bombing attacks on London; the German invasion of the Soviet Union, and the beginnings of America's involvement in the war.

[edit] Total War

This episode chronicles the middle years of the war, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor and running through early 1944. Additional subject areas covered include women working; the treacherous Atlantic Ocean crossings; the German occupation of the Soviet Union, Poland, and Yugoslavia; the battle for Stalingrad; the firebombing of Hamburg, and the U.S. invasion of Saipan.

[edit] Triumph and Despair

This episode chronicles the final year of the war, beginning with the Allied invasion at Normandy and Cannes. Additional subjects covered include the inward invasion from Normandy; the liberation of Paris; the taking of Berlin; the liberation of Buchenwald and Dachau concentration camps; the VE-Day celebration in London; the deadly invasion of Okinawa; the dropping of the first atomic bomb, and the VJ-Day celebration in New York City.