Secrets of War

Watch Secrets of War

  • TV-14
  • 1998
  • 5 Seasons
  • 7.6  (228)

Secrets of War is a compelling 13-episode documentary series from Fireworks International that delves deep into the hidden world of espionage and military intelligence during World War II. Hosted by Charlton Heston, and featuring expert analysis and commentary from acclaimed historians and researchers such as Thomas B. Allen and Norman Polmar, this gripping series explores some of the most crucial and fascinating missions, operations, and battles of the conflict.

Through rare archival footage, declassified documents, and firsthand accounts from both Allied and Axis veterans, Secrets of War offers a unique and enlightening perspective on the political, military, and social circumstances that shaped the outcome of the war. Each episode covers a different theme, ranging from intelligence gathering and code-breaking to espionage and sabotage, as well as the significant roles played by women and minorities in the fight.

The show begins by examining the evolution of intelligence operations during the war, from the establishment of the British Special Operations Executive to the development of the US Office of Strategic Services. It looks at some of the most renowned Allied secret agents, such as Violette Szabo, whose daring exploits in occupied France became legendary, and Noor Inayat Khan, the fearless Indian Muslim woman who worked as a wireless operator and was executed by the Gestapo.

Other episodes focus on some of the most critical missions and operations, such as the Allied deception campaign that led to the success of D-Day, the daring raid on the German heavy water plant in Norway, and the development of the atomic bomb. The series also explores the often-overlooked contributions made by minorities during the war, such as the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as the impact of wartime propaganda on home fronts around the world.

Throughout the series, Charlton Heston and the expert commentators provide insightful analysis and context for each topic, examining the challenges, risks, and strategies involved in intelligence and military operations during the war. The show is well-researched and engaging, offering a trove of interesting details and revelations about the secretive and little-known world of espionage and intelligence during World War II.

Overall, Secrets of War is a fascinating and informative journey into one of the most complex and pivotal periods of modern history, offering an in-depth look at the hidden and often overlooked aspects of the conflict. With its mix of rare footage, expert analysis, and engrossing storytelling, this series provides a comprehensive and compelling exploration of the war's most secretive and intriguing dimensions, making it a must-see for history buffs and casual viewers alike.

Secrets of War is a series that ran for 5 seasons (95 episodes) between July 13, 1998 and on Fireworks International

Secrets of War
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Seasons
Gulf War: Iraq?s Secrets
13. Gulf War: Iraq?s Secrets
March 20, 1999
Learn how Saddam Hussein used an impressive combination of cunning and deception to befriend the West while secretly developing weapons of mass destruction, and putting the welfare of his own people at risk.
Brezhnev?s Kremlin
12. Brezhnev?s Kremlin
March 13, 1999
Before Leonid Brezhnev signed nuclear arms reduction agreements with the West, he put the Soviets in multiple conflicts, from getting involved in Vietnam and in the Arab-Israeli conflicts to covertly invading Afghanistan.
Ho Chi Minh?s Revolution
11. Ho Chi Minh?s Revolution
March 6, 1999
Uncover the secrets behind Ho Chi Minh's control of Vietnam and his ability to push the Japanese, the French and the Americans out of his country during his thirty year long dynasty.
Mussolini?s Henchmen
10. Mussolini?s Henchmen
February 27, 1999
Take a deeper look into fascist Italy and the unknown stories of the shadowy figures who protected Mussolini from the very beginning of his power to his questionable alliance with Nazi Germany.
Cold War: Castro?s Revolution
9. Cold War: Castro?s Revolution
February 20, 1999
Explore one of the most enduring revolutionaries of the 20th century. From CIA assassination attempts foiled by Cuban Intelligence agents to Castro's secret pacts with the Soviets and his survival after the Cold War.
The Gulf War - Architects of Desert Storm
8. The Gulf War - Architects of Desert Storm
February 13, 1999
Learn how former CIA director President George Bush, General Norman Schwarzkopf, General Colin Powell and others collected and analyzed the crucial information needed to develop their deceptive and devastating battlefield strategy in the Persian Gulf.
Cold War: Khruschev?s Regime
7. Cold War: Khruschev?s Regime
February 6, 1999
Although he tried to distance himself from Stalin's ruthless regime, Khrushchev brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Take a deeper look into the Cuban Missile Crisis from the Soviet perspective, as well as brutal repressions in Poland and Hungary against Communist resistors.
Cold War: Nixon?s Secrets
6. Cold War: Nixon?s Secrets
January 30, 1999
Examine the untold story behind Richard Nixon's forceful triumphs and overwhelming defeats. Learn more about the covert missions carried out during his presidency in Vietnam and the secrets behind his foreign policy victories with China and the Soviet Union.
Cold War: Eisenhower?s Operatives
4. Cold War: Eisenhower?s Operatives
January 23, 1999
Follow the untold story of the Supreme Allied Commander of WWII, Dwight Eisenhower who relied heavily on the covert branch of the CIA to an unprecedented scale during his presidency.
Hitler?s Last Days
3. Hitler?s Last Days
October 10, 1998
Joseph Goebbel's private diaries reveal a fresh understanding of what life was like inside Hitler's bunker in the final days of the Reich and their secret attempts to turn the tide of the war.
Vietnam: Johnson?s Battleground
2. Vietnam: Johnson?s Battleground
January 16, 1999
Follow Lyndon Johnson's White House attempts to maintain the support of U.S. citizens while the secret enemy strategies sabotaged American morale in Vietnam.
Hiroshito?s War
1. Hiroshito?s War
January 9, 1999
Japanese tradition made him a god, but Japanese law made him Commander in Chief of the Japanese Armed Forces. Never tried for war crimes or even questioned, Hirohito was a mysterious yet significant figure, from Pearl Harbor to his secret role in the surrender of Japan.
Description
Where to Watch Secrets of War
Secrets of War is available for streaming on the Fireworks International website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Secrets of War on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, FuboTV, Pluto TV and Plex.
  • Premiere Date
    July 13, 1998
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (228)