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BBC Two8.3(15)

The Great War

Documentary
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1964
1 Season
26 Episodes
EN
Ended

About

A milestone 26-part history of the First World War, conceived to mark the 50th anniversary of its outbreak.

#world war i

Cast

Episodes

Series 1

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E1

On the Idle Hill of Summer...

May 30, 196440m9.0

In 1914, the world was on the brink of enormous change. Worried by increasing German militarism, the French and the British entered into the Entente Cordiale against Germany and her allies, splitting Europe into opposing sides. Two shots would ignite the powder keg.

E2

For Such a Stupid Reason Too...

Jun 6, 196440m10.0

The assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914 led to a breakdown in international diplomacy that ultimately led to war.

E3

We Must Hack Our Way Through

Jun 13, 196440m9.5

Following the declaration of war, the German army began to carry out one of the most famous military plans in history. Known as the Schlieffen Plan, its objective was to finish the war in 40 days.

E4

Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre

Jun 20, 196440m10.0

How the British army fought its first battle at the Belgian town of Mons. Despite initial success, the British infantry were sent into retreat after two weeks. Yet as the Germans pressed forward to Paris, apparently invincible, French Commander-in-Chief General Joffre slowly began to build a more solid resistance – which would lead ultimately to Allied victory.

E5

This Business May Last a Long Time

Jun 27, 196440m8.5

The Battle of the Marne in September 1914 ultimately proved to be a pivotal victory of the war for Allied Forces, but, at the time, they were not able to exploit it to bring a swift end to hostilities. Instead, both sides encountered the phenomenon of trench warfare. Culminating at Ypres late in 1914, the trench line stretched from the sea to Switzerland.

E6

So Sleep Easy in Your Beds

Jul 4, 196440m9.0

Attention turns to the battle of the sea. British confidence in the Royal Navy was to be shattered as it suffered defeats – the worst one at Coronel off the coast of South America on 1st November 1914.

E7

We Await the Heavenly Manna...

Jul 11, 196440m7.0

In 1915, France and Britain struggle to keep up with the demand for shells and artillery, but Germany – the most modern industrial system in Europe – have no shortages, having smoothly switched over to war production and introduced the use of gas made by chemical factories. The Allies discover democracy and laissez-faire industry will not suffice if they are to regain ground.

E8

Why Don't You Come and Help?!

Jul 18, 196440m3.5

As Minister of Munitions, David Loyd George was faced with a restricted industrial capability; Britain even imported materials from Germany in key areas. But with the help of US equipment, Lloyd George brought troops up to date, and by 1916 had transformed the armed services into a modern military power.

Where does The Great War rank today?

The Great War is #5012 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.

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Watch The Great War Online Free — All Episodes in HD

Stream The Great War online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A highly acclaimed documentary series originally produced in English and released in 1964, it's earned a solid 8.3/10 from 15 viewers worldwide.

About The Great War

A milestone 26-part history of the First World War, conceived to mark the 50th anniversary of its outbreak. Across 1 season and 26 episodes, originally airing on BBC Two.

The Great War Cast and Characters

The cast features Michael Redgrave (as Narrator), Ralph Richardson (as Douglas Haig (voice)), Emlyn Williams (as Lloyd George (voice)), Marius Goring (as Various (voice)), and Cyril Luckham. Their performances are a major reason The Great War has built such a passionate audience.

Where to Watch The Great War Online

On Bowood.TV you can watch The Great War free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.

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Why People Are Watching The Great War

There's a reason The Great War keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Great War

Where can I watch The Great War online for free?

You can watch The Great War online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.

How many episodes does The Great War have?

The Great War has 26 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.

Is The Great War good? What's the rating?

The Great War holds a 8.3/10 rating based on 15 reviews — genuinely excellent.

Who is in the cast of The Great War?

The main cast includes Michael Redgrave, Ralph Richardson, Emlyn Williams, and Marius Goring, plus a strong supporting ensemble.

Is The Great War available in English?

Yes — The Great War was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.

When was The Great War released?

The Great War first aired in 1964.

Do I need an account to watch The Great War on Bowood.TV?

No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Great War without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.

Similar Series You Might Like

If you enjoyed The Great War, check out Trenches: Battleground WWI, LEGIE 100, Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain, The World Wars, and Apocalypse: World War I.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch The Great War for free?

You can watch The Great War online for free on Bowood.TV. All 26 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.

How many seasons and episodes does The Great War have?

The Great War currently has 1 season and a total of 26 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.

What is The Great War about?

A milestone 26-part history of the First World War, conceived to mark the 50th anniversary of its outbreak. It belongs to the Documentary genre.

In which language is The Great War originally available?

The Great War was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.

When was The Great War first released?

The Great War first premiered on May 30, 1964 (1964). The series has since concluded its run.

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