Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Thorough, outstanding, with no important piece of footage missing, the World at War completely exhausts World War II in documentary form. A 26 part, 26 hour British production from the 1970s, it does emphasize Britain somewhat more than America (the war in the Pacific is only one of 26 episodes) but the viewer gets a great look at Churchill, and Laurence Olivier's narration is perfect. The early episodes on the rise of Germany and Japan are telling, and the build-up of the war through the 1930s is spellbinding. The battle footage from the 1940s - particularly for battles such as Iwo Jima - is stunning.My only beef: Why did they consider it necessary to interview Alger Hiss as an "expert" in a final, post-war episode that dishes out benign treatment to the USSR? It's biased and naive. Ignore episode 26 and watch 1-25 and you'll be mesmerized.
Rating:
Summary: The absolute BEST WWII documentary
Review: There is simply no comparison to this epic documentary of WWII. That is all that needs to be said. BUY IT. You won't regret it. Have a friend or family member that is a WWII history fan? BUY IT. They will worship you.
Rating:
Summary: The best WWII documentary
Review: At last, the best WWII documentary is available on DVD. I've seen WAW documentary several times on local TV, and didn't buy the VHS version waiting for the DVD one. A set of DVDs that cannot be ausent of any respectable DVDs collection. I think it's not necessary to comment the documentary in itself; if you're wondering how good is it, don't waste your time reading comments: go and watch it by yourself!
Rating:
Summary: The Finest WWII Documentary Ever Produced
Review: For History buffs and those who have a keen, deeply felt interest in World War II beyond just the military events, the World at War, produced by Thames Television (1981) and released earlier on VHS by Thorn/EMI, is a 26 episode documentary set apart from all other documentaries about WWII. No other, with the exception of Walter Cronkite's CBS series, comes close to an unbiased, analytical perspective of a War that cost perhaps 50 million lives and took an emotional and philosophical toll we are still trying to comprehend today. Narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier and covering all aspects of the war, this definitive series is used by many colleges and universities as a source for History and Documentary Film courses. There is an incredible depth of archive footage used; skilfully woven with interviews of major figures in the War from Britain, US, Canada, Europe and Japan. Many major eye-witness leaders and ordinary people who were still alive in 1981 contributed sometimes surprising, sometimes incredible, and sometimes haunting interviews. Yet, for all its skilful editing and historical sophistication, it is clearly presented and emotionally compelling. In my opinion, it is, along with Kenneth Clark's "Civilisation", the best ever produced British documentary. What makes this a stellar and overpowering account of the War is Olivier's narration. Never blustery, patriotic, or theatrical, Sir Laurence delivers pointed, thoughtful analysis with his incredible command of English and oration. Music for the series was composed by Carl Davis and even the opening credits set an unforgettable tone in a haunting image of a child in a photograph, dissolving in flames. This series is for those trying to make sense of a 6 year period when the world went mad. Five Stars PLUS.
Rating:
Summary: Finally on DVD!!!
Review: The premier WWII documentary has finally made it to DVD. A perfect format considering the detailed insight that it delivers. A High quality production shot in 16 mm film, narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier. A must have for any WWII buff!
Rating:
Summary: The World At War
Review: This is IT!.....The ULTIMATE WWII series - nothing else even comes close! 25 hours of thourough detail, authentic (and rare!) footage, interviews with American, British, German, Italian & Japanese veterans...Hitler's chauffer and secretary..concentration camp survivors....Japanese and Marine veterans from the Pacific..this one has it all and then some.... It does not present the war in a totally chronological order, but intentionally so to keep similar subject matter flowing. If you're a WWII buff, this is an absolute MUST HAVE...and if you're not a WWII buff, this series may just turn you into one! NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE....nor do I expect anything in the future to, either...
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Overview of WWII, the Big One
Review: Awesome videotape footage of battle sequences, particularly the monumental Battle of Stalingrad. Not much discussion as to why the war took place, rather, a video and audio accounting of the actual events of the war. Interesting interviews w/ the notorious Alger Hiss, Robert Oppenheimer. I'm not sure why Jimmy Stewart was talking to us about bomber formations, but he does a credible job. Stephen Ambrose in his hippy/preppy look, gives most interesting discussion on the aftermath of the war, although he has a tendency to talk like Donald Duck. Hitler comes across as the schmuck that he really was. No discussion at all of the mass executions in Russia. 1 segment on the Holocaust, but well done. A very European perspective on the war. Eerie footage of the dropping of the atomic bombs and informative interview w/ the mission commander (Tibbett). The radiated Japanese guy's bubbling back was truly disgusting. Olivier just perfect in the narrative role. The Japanese are portrayed as animalistic fanatics who would rather die than surrender or admit a mistake. Tojo sounds like a sushi chef that I once met. Hey, this stuff is awesome. The French are portrayed as inept boobs, while the Brits are portrayed as heroic (you guessed it, this was a British production). I like it...
Rating:
Summary: Significant document of an unparalled event in human history
Review: I remember seeing these documentaries as a child when they were broadcast on sydicated TV. I was deeply effected by the images, though as a child, I could not quite grasp the historical context of the events. The haunting music, the hard contrast of the black and white images, the fearful kinetic energy of the hand held footage, the hypnotic power of Olivier's narration, are more lasting, more impressive, more significant, and more entertaining than any recent Hollywood computer graphic pseudo-romantic action extravaganza (that shall be nameless but you all know what movie I mean). As I grew into my teens and I studied military history, the value of the series became more clear and the material more frighteningly real. There is something about black and white film, that creates a cold reality that color films cannot replicate. There is an edge here. Perhaps it is because there is something about the grainy black and white stock that is reminiscent of newspapers. Perhaps it is why Spielberg shot "Private Ryan" in a desaturated style. The series is like an engraving whose print leaves a deep, permanent indentation in your head. This documentary brings home the experience of war. How it begins, how it is fought, how it ends, who wins, and who looses. At the height of the Cold War, when this series was produced, the answer to these questions were quite poignant and not as clear as you might think. It goes beyond the simple, World War Two was the "good war", track that you see in so many recent productions. It is the defining World War II documentary, unmatched, and unsurpassed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series, but when DVD?
Review: This is the penultimate video history of the war. The VHS series is quite good, but am still waiting for DVD format. It is available in Europe, but not North America.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Historical Account from the British Perspective
Review: Beginning with Hitler's rise to power in 1933, the series gives the story of World War II from the British perspective. Although interviews with former civil and military officials of Germany and Japan add some balance, the United States' role in winning the war is de-emphasized. Viewers are constantly reminded that the United States "suffered little" but "gained the most." Never mind, I suppose, that 400,000 Americans died during the war.
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