Apocalypse: The Second World War

8.4
2009

A six-part French documentary about the Second World War composed exclusively of actual footage of the war as filmed by war correspondents, soldiers, resistance fighters and private citizens. The series is shown in color, with the black and white footage being fully colorized, save for some original color footage. The only exception to the treatment are most Holocaust scenes, which are presented in the original black and white.

Production

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Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: APOCALYPSE  WORLD WAR II   Documentary Series Trailer secvente

APOCALYPSE WORLD WAR II Documentary Series Trailer secvente

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 2009

A six-part French documentary about the Second World War composed exclusively of actual footage of the war as filmed by war correspondents, soldiers, resistance fighters and private citizens. The series is shown in color, with the black and white footage being fully colorized, save for some original color footage. The only exception to the treatment are most Holocaust scenes, which are presented in the original black and white.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 1: Aggression (1933–1939)

1. Aggression (1933–1939)

7.0

Colourised footage of Hitler as he visits the Austrian village where he grew up, see the heart-felt good-byes as French soldiers leave loved ones at Gare de l’Est train station in Paris and civilians. Hitler continues his conquest of Europe by invading Holland and Belgium.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 2: Crushing Defeat (1939–1940)

2. Crushing Defeat (1939–1940)

7.5

The British troops hastily evacuate from the beaches at Dunkirk, France, but are forced to abandon kilometres of precious military vehicles and equipment. Heart-rending footage captures the plight of thousands of French civilians as they flee from the Nazis, as well as home movies taken by Londoners as they dig out from daily bombings.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 3: Shock (1940–1941)

3. Shock (1940–1941)

7.5

Polish prisoners and Jews are forced into slave labour to complete Nazi building projects. The Italian army is in disarray so Hitler dispatches one of his best generals to Libya. The Afrika Korps fry eggs on the surfaces of their tanks amidst the blistering desert sands of North Africa. Shock includes vivid colourised footage of the battle for the Soviet Union as the Germans struggle toward Moscow in the brutal Russian winter.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 4: World Ablaze (1941-1942)

4. World Ablaze (1941-1942)

7.9

America joins the war as the conflict rages in South-East Asia, North Africa and Russia. The Allied forces are unable to slow the furious progress of the Japanese army through South-East Asia. Even India and Australia are at risk. The Nazis instigate The Final Solution.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 5: The Noose (1942-1943)

5. The Noose (1942-1943)

8.0

The turning of the war against Germany, with Allied victory at El Alamein and Russian triumph at Stalingrad. In the North Atlantic, the Allies make progress in reducing the threat from German U-boats. Inside Hitler's Germany the SS gain more power, and in southern Europe the Allies fight their way though Italy.

Still image for Apocalypse: The Second World War season 1 episode 6: Inferno (1944-1945)

6. Inferno (1944-1945)

7.7

Witness the D-Day landings and the liberation of Paris. In the east the Soviets liberate Auschwitz and fight their way to the heart of Berlin. Germany finally surrenders and Japan fights on until the 2 atom bombs are dropped.

Cast

Photo of Mathieu Kassovitz

Mathieu Kassovitz

Self - Narrator (voice)

Photo of Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Heinrich Himmler

Heinrich Himmler

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Erwin Rommel

Erwin Rommel

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Joseph Stalin

Joseph Stalin

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Hermann Göring

Hermann Göring

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini

Self (archive footage)

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