The Great War

[Sgt York]

BBC to show landmark 1960s history series, The Great War

The BBC is to repeat the historic documentary series, The Great War, in its entirety, accompanied by a specially made introductory programme, That Was the Great War That Was, exploring the enduring power of this television masterpiece.

For the first time since 1974 the entire series of The Great War is to be shown, airing on BBC TWO and BBC FOUR next year, with two episodes on the Somme airing on BBC FOUR in November this year to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

First broadcast on the BBC in 1964, The Great War was to be the definitive film account of the world-shattering events of 1914-1918 - a landmark history series widely regarded as a documentary masterpiece.

Laurence Rees, the BBC's Creative Director, History, comments: "The Great War was a landmark in television history in the 1960s, offering the post-war generation a new way of experiencing the turning points in history.

"I hope viewers coming to it afresh will find it an equally rewarding and valuable experience."

The Great War was the first endeavour to describe history on television through the highest standards of scripting, archive and the memories of survivors.

The series draws on over one million feet of original film, hundreds of exclusive veteran interviews and contemporary diaries, letters and reports from the war.

It is narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave and features the voices of many other leading actors of the day including Sir Ralph Richardson and Marius Goring.

The series in its entirety runs to 26 forty-minute episodes, and detailed work has been underway for some time bring the programmes technically up to date for transmission on digital and analogue channels.

To accompany the replaying of the series, an introductory documentary - That Was The Great War That Was - includes interviews with members of the original production team - led by Tonight current affairs producers and editors, the cream of BBC talent in the 1960s.

Discussing their role in the making of television history are, amongst others, Max Hastings and John Terraine.

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When will it be shown? Does anyone know?

Ronnie.