Trailer unavailable

Series · 2003 · Documentary

The First World War

★7.3 2003 1 Season TV-MA

This ten-part docuseries tells the comprehensive story of the First World War, featuring excerpts written by Winston Churchill, Karen Blixen, Georges Clémenceau, David Lloyd George, Siegfried Sassoon and Rudolf Hess.

Seasons & episodes

1 season · 10 episodes

To Arms (1914)

Episode 01

To Arms (1914)

Sep 20, 2003 · 60 min

The First World War shaped the twentieth century. It sparked the Russian Revolution, and it launched America as a world power. The fault-line from its failed peace settlement led to a second terrible world war barely twenty years later.

Under the Eagle (1914-1915)

Episode 02

Under the Eagle (1914-1915)

Sep 27, 2003 · 60 min

The first months of the war on the Western Front were mobile, fast and dangerous; casualty rates were higher than with later trench warfare. The Germans were halted by the Allies at the Battle of the Mame, fell back to high ground and dug in. The Allies followed suit.

Global War (1914-1916)

Episode 03

Global War (1914-1916)

Oct 4, 2003 · 60 min

War for Europe meant war for the world. Germany gambled that Britain might risk everything to protect her Empire - even victory on the Western Front. So, to divert British resources, maverick German commanders led the British a dance; across the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

Jihad (1914-1916)

Episode 04

Jihad (1914-1916)

Oct 11, 2003 · 60 min

The Ottoman Empire, Germany's ally, summoned all Muslims to Jihad - holy war - to overthrow Allied power in the Middle East. They proved a formidable foe, as the Allies found to their cost at Gallipoli and in the Middle East.

Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)

Episode 05

Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)

Oct 18, 2003 · 60 min

As the Germans and Austrians clashed with The Russians on the bitter Eastern Front, Italy became embroiled in a terrible slaughter.

Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)

Episode 06

Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)

Oct 25, 2003 · 60 min

Attrition, "lions led by donkeys", the slaughter only ceasing for a brief truce one Christmas - old, mistaken views of the war on the Western Front. In fact there was constant tactical evolutions; hundreds of generals died in action; some men adopted a system of "Live and Let Live", with countless informal local truces.

Blockade (1916-1917)

Episode 07

Blockade (1916-1917)

Nov 1, 2003 · 60 min

The war at sea was every bit as bitter as the war on land. The battle at Jutland proved inconclusive but the U-Boat menace threatened Britain as never before. Meanwhile, America entered the war.

Revolution (1917)

Episode 08

Revolution (1917)

Nov 8, 2003 · 60 min

The effect of the Great War shattered nations, inspired mass mutinies by desperate troops, caused great upheaval on the home front and changed the world forever.

Germany's Last Gamble (1918)

Episode 09

Germany's Last Gamble (1918)

Nov 15, 2003 · 60 min

Over one million German troops were committed to Kaiserschlacht - the last great offensive of the war - while conflict still raged on many other fronts.

War Without End (1918- )

Episode 10

War Without End (1918- )

Nov 22, 2003 · 60 min

The dramatic Allied victory at Amiens led to victory in just 100 days - and the signing of a bitterly-resented peace, while other nations stumbled towards their own ceasefire agreements.

About the series

The First World War poster
Audience score
★ 7.3 /10

based on 21 votes

Synopsis

This ten-part docuseries tells the comprehensive story of the First World War, featuring excerpts written by Winston Churchill, Karen Blixen, Georges Clémenceau, David Lloyd George, Siegfried Sassoon and Rudolf Hess.

DocumentaryWar & Politics

Cast

4 principal cast

Ferdinand I of Bulgaria

Self

Marie of Romania

Self

Hermann Göring

Hermann Göring

Self (archive footage)

Jonathan Lewis

Self - Narrator

Where to watch The First World War

The First World War is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The documentary has 1 season and 10 total episodes, rated 7.3/10 by 21 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does The First World War have?

The First World War has 1 season with 10 episodes in total.

Is The First World War still on the air?

The First World War has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs The First World War?

The First World War airs on Channel 4.

When did The First World War first air?

The First World War first aired on September 20, 2003.

More like this

Similar series

See all →
Conbody vs Everybody

Conbody vs Everybody

2026

Hostages

Hostages

2022

Shadowland

Shadowland

2022

History Uncovered

History Uncovered

2019

Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga

Eat the Rich: The GameStop Saga

2022

Restless

Restless

2012

Löwengrube

Löwengrube

1989

Space Race

Space Race

2005

Planet Earth

Planet Earth

2006

La Commune (Paris, 1871)

La Commune (Paris, 1871)

2000

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days

1989

Pole to Pole

Pole to Pole

1992

Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure

1999

The Honourable Woman

The Honourable Woman

2014

The World Wars

The World Wars

2014

The Failed Experiment

The Failed Experiment

2024

The Devil Next Door

The Devil Next Door

2019

Post Scriptum - An Optimistic Look at the End of the World

Post Scriptum - An Optimistic Look at the End of the World

2021

Resistance

Resistance

2014

14: Diaries of the Great War

14: Diaries of the Great War

2014