The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century
“Documentary series telling the history of the Great War, in which nine million people perished.”
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 11:36 IST
About
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is a 1996 documentary series that aired on PBS. It chronicles World War I over eight episodes. It was narrated by Dame Judi Dench in the UK and Salome Jens in the United States. The series won two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Jeremy Irons for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, the other for Outstanding Informational Series. In 1997, it was given a Peabody Award.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
Explosion
Instability in Europe is fueled by Germany's growing militarism, Kaiser Wilhelm II's obsession to match the British Royal Navy, and French and German war plans before the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria triggers combat.
Stalemate
At the start of World War One it was predicted the fighting would be over in a matter of weeks, owing to technical advances in weaponry. But the reality proved entirely different as soldiers dug into the ground to escape artillery, trenches began to spread for miles and the Western Front developed.
What if... Total War
An insight into the personal experiences of people caught up in World War One, with diaries and letters shedding light on the conflict. One million women left the home to work in Britain's munitions factories, while soldiers' families lived in dread of receiving a telegram or telephone call bearing bad news.
Slaughter
The stories of the battles of Verdun, the Somme and Passchendaele, three of World War One's most bloody encounters, using newsreel footage taken at the scene during a time when film was on the verge of becoming a major influence on the public's perception of warfare
Mutiny
Account of the despair which swept Europe in 1917, as World War One dragged on into its fourth year with no end in sight. While British doctors struggled to find an effective shell-shock treatment for patients, including poet Wilfred Owen, half of the French army mutinied and Russia was gripped by revolution.
Collapse
Account of the sudden ending of World War One in 1918, tracing the various causes responsible for Germany's ultimate downfall, including a failed offensive, the Americans joining the Allied Forces and crumbling civilian morale. Archive footage reveals the momentous occasion when the guns fell silent on the 11th hour of November 11, and British and German troops shook hands.
Legacy
Covers the continuing blockade on Germany as the Allies drew up the Treaty of Versailles, with considerable focus on Woodrow Wilson’s role in the Paris Peace Conference.
War Without End
Examines the cost of the war and its continuing reverberations through the rest of the 20th century.
Where does The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century rank today?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is #5492 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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About The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century
“Documentary series telling the history of the Great War, in which nine million people perished.”
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is a 1996 documentary series that aired on PBS. It chronicles World War I over eight episodes. It was narrated by Dame Judi Dench in the UK and Salome Jens in the United States. The series won two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Jeremy Irons for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, the other for Outstanding Informational Series. In 1997, it was given a Peabody Award. Across 1 season and 8 episodes, originally airing on PBS.
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century Cast and Characters
The cast features Salome Jens (as Narrator (voice)). Their performances are a major reason The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century Online
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▶ Watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century NowWhy People Are Watching The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century
There's a reason The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century 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 and the Shaping of the 20th Century
Where can I watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century online for free?
You can watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century 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 and the Shaping of the 20th Century have?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century has 8 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century good? What's the rating?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century holds a 8.4/10 rating based on 5 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century?
The main cast includes Salome Jens.
Is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century available in English?
Yes — The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century released?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century first aired in 1996.
Do I need an account to watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century for free?
You can watch The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century online for free on Bowood.TV. All 8 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 and the Shaping of the 20th Century have?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century currently has 1 season and a total of 8 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 and the Shaping of the 20th Century about?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is a 1996 documentary series that aired on PBS. It chronicles World War I over eight episodes. It was narrated by Dame Judi Dench in the UK and Salome Jens in the United States. The series won two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Jeremy Irons for Outstanding Voice-Ove… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century originally available?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century 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 and the Shaping of the 20th Century first released?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century first premiered on November 10, 1996 (1996). The series has since concluded its run.
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