Historical series is 'best British war TV show' and fans hail it a 'masterpiece'

History buffs will be pleased to learn that a highly rated war series is available to stream for free. Fans are hailing it a "masterpiece" and Ranker has listed it in its ranking of the "best British war TV shows". The World at War is a British documentary television series that depicts the events of the Second World War.

The historical series was produced in 1973 by Jeremy Isaacs, with narration by Laurence Olivier and music composed by Carl Davis. The book, The World at War, was published the same year and written by Mark Arnold-Forster to accompany the TV series.

The docuseries' synopsis reads: "The World at War is a landmark 1973 British documentary television series that chronicles the events of World War II from its origins to its aftermath, focusing on the human experience of the conflict through interviews with key participants on all sides, including statesmen and soldiers. Narrated by Laurence Olivier with a score by Carl Davis, the 26-episode series is renowned for its extensive archival footage, insightful interviews with figures like Albert Speer and Anthony Eden, and detailed examination of major campaigns and the suffering of civilians and victims."

Ranker said of the documentary: "As one of the most definitive World War II documentaries ever made, The World at War remains an essential cornerstone of British broadcasting excellence, captivating audiences with its thorough, impartial, and emotionally resonant storytelling."

The World at War achieved widespread acclaim and is regarded as a landmark in British television history. It has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic stating that it is the "most remarkable TV documentary series ever made".

Another critic wrote in their review: "This is the picture that is painstakingly painted, pieced together from newspaper headings and foggy memories... and if that isn't an achievement for a documentary, I would be hard pressed to explain what achievement is."

"The narrative is clear, the choices of images haunting. This is not easy viewing. This is a detailed, committed and impassioned document," added a third critic.

The World at War is available to stream on U.