Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

On the Idle Hill of Summer

Episode 1 of 26

Documentary series. In 1914 the world stands on the brink of enormous change. The French and the British enter into the Entente Cordiale against Germany.

In 1964 the 麻豆官网首页入口 broadcast one of its most important and ambitious series ever. The Great War was to be the definitive film account of the world-shattering events of 1914-1918. The Great War 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.

In 1914, Germany had recently emerged as a major world power, second only to the Americans in industrial might. The French and British, worried by the increase in German militarism, entered into the Entente Cordiale, a mutual defence pact which drew in France's traditional ally Russia. Germany saw itself surrounded and turned to the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire for support. As the two deeply suspicious and fearful military alliances faced off against one another across Europe, it would take just two pistol shots to ignite the entire powder keg.

45 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Nov 2014 19:00

More episodes

Previous

You are at the first episode

See all episodes from The Great War

Music Played

  • Wilfred Josephs

    The Great War

    Orchestra: 麻豆官网首页入口 Northern Orchestra. Conductor: George Hurst.

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Michael Redgrave
Participant Ralph Richardson
Participant Marius Goring
Writer Correlli Barnett
Writer John Terraine
Producer Gordon Watkins
Producer Tony Essex

Broadcasts

Commemorating the centenary of World War I

Find our more about the Great War on the 麻豆官网首页入口 History site.