Watch The War: A Ken Burns Film

The War: A Ken Burns Film from PBS is a documentary miniseries that aired in 1990. It explores the experiences of ordinary Americans during World War II through interviews, archival footage, and photographs. The series is narrated by David McCullough and features an impressive cast of actors including Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Julie Harris, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor, Arthur Miller, George Plimpton, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Horton Foote, Derek Jacobi, Colleen Dewhurst, Pamela Reed, M. Emmet Walsh, Hoyt Axton, Gene Jones, and Kurt Vonnegut, among others.

The War is divided into seven episodes, each of which explores a different aspect of the war. The first episode, "A Necessary War," sets the stage by providing an overview of the events leading up to the war, including the rise of Hitler and the devastating effects of the Holocaust. The next episode, "When Things Get Tough," focuses on the experiences of American soldiers during the early years of the war, including the attack on Pearl Harbor and the battle for Guadalcanal.

The third episode, "A Deadly Calling," explores the experiences of American soldiers in North Africa, Italy, and Normandy. It includes interviews with veterans who vividly recall the brutal realities of combat and the sacrifices they made for their country. The fourth episode, "Pride of Our Nation," celebrates the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen, an all-black fighter pilot squadron, and the Navajo code talkers, who played a key role in the war effort by transmitting secret messages in their native language.

The fifth episode, "FUBAR," takes its title from a military acronym meaning "fouled up beyond all recognition." It examines some of the most notorious military blunders of the war, including the failed mission to capture the Arnhem bridge and the disastrous Battle of the Bulge. Despite these setbacks, the soldiers interviewed for the program express a deep sense of pride in their service and their willingness to fight for their country.

The sixth episode, "The Ghost Front," focuses on the experiences of American soldiers as they fought their way across Germany, from the Rhine River to Berlin. It includes interviews with veterans who describe the horrors of combat, as well as their relief and joy at the end of the war. The final episode, "A World Without War," explores the aftermath of the war, including the Nuremberg Trials and the creation of the United Nations.

Throughout the series, The War uses a combination of archival footage, photographs, and interviews to provide a detailed and intimate portrait of the war and its impact on ordinary Americans. The interviews with veterans are particularly powerful, as they provide a firsthand account of the realities of combat and the sacrifices made by those who fought in the war.

Overall, The War: A Ken Burns Film from PBS is a moving and comprehensive documentary series that provides a powerful and poignant account of one of the most significant events in modern history. It is a must-see for anyone interested in history, World War II, or the experiences of the "Greatest Generation."

The War: A Ken Burns Film is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between September 23, 2007 and on PBS