World War 1 in Colour

World War 1 in Colour presents the events of the Great War through a unique lens, offering a vivid portrayal of the conflict that reshaped the world from 1914 to 1918. This six-episode series, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, utilizes colorized footage to bring the war to life for modern audiences.

The documentary begins with “Catastrophe,” which sets the stage for the war and explores its outbreak in 1914. It highlights the scale of the conflict, involving 65 million men taking up arms, resulting in 10 million deaths and 20 million casualties. The episode also introduces new terminologies and massive weapons that emerged during this period.

“Slaughter in the Trenches” focuses on the Western Front, detailing the stalemate of 1915 and the challenges of trench warfare. It covers the battles of Artois and Festubert, as well as Lord Kitchener’s recruitment campaign that brought in a million volunteers. The episode provides insight into the differences between regular soldiers and the new volunteers.

The third installment, “Blood in the Air,” shifts attention to aerial combat, showcasing the rapid development of aviation technology during the war. “Killers of the Sea” then turns to naval warfare, discussing the importance of blockades, the threat of U-boats, and the single major clash of fleets in the conflict.

“Mayhem on the Eastern Front” broadens the scope to include the often-overlooked Eastern theater of the war. The final episode, “Victory and Despair,” covers the costly year of 1918 for the Allies and the ultimate conclusion of the war.

Throughout the series, World War 1 in Colour incorporates interviews with historians and surviving veterans, providing personal perspectives on the conflict. The documentary features rare footage, with over 75% of the material reportedly never before seen on television. It also includes interviews with the last survivors of various aspects of the war, such as Harry Patch, the last survivor of the trenches, and Hubert Williams, the last pilot of the Royal Flying Corps.

The colorization process, which reportedly took 400 technicians over five months to complete, aims to bring a new level of immediacy to the historical footage. This technique allows for a unique visual experience, presenting the events of 1914-1918 in a way that may feel more relatable to modern eyes.