Finest Hour: The Battle of Britain (Video from 2000, Parts I and II)

BBC via You Tube ^ | 2000

[beaversmom]

FINEST HOUR is an intense and dramatic account of one of the most critical periods of World War II. In the spring of 1940, Holland, Belgium, and France fell to the juggernaut of Hitler's army. The Soviet Union was Germany's ally, and America stood on the sidelines. At this time of great peril it was Britain alone that faced the Nazi army.

Britain had two great assets: Its indomitable leader Winston Churchill, and the courage and resilience of its people — ordinary citizens who accomplished extraordinary things. Thanks to them, a nation's darkest hour became its finest. Through months of intense air bombardment — including the "Blitz" on London — and under the permanent threat of invasion, the British people exemplified heroism under fire. The peoples of occupied Europe, and those of the United States, came to see that resistance to Hitler was indeed possible.

This two-part documentary focuses on both the personal experiences of men and women who were on the front lines, and the political intrigue behind the scenes — especially Churchill's relations with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a passionate anti-Nazi who wanted to aid the British. At the time, isolationism was a very powerful force in American society and F.D.R.'s efforts would require great commitment.

Through fresh archival footage, still photographs, dramatic recreations, and vivid personal accounts, FINEST HOUR brings to life a period that resonates likes none other in world history.

Narrated by WILL LYMAN Series Producer PHIL CRAIG Producer NICK WARD Series Director / Cameraman NICK READ Film Editor / Associate Producer PAUL BURGESS Composer NEIL ARTHUR Executive Producer for WGBH ZVI DOR-NER

Copyright © 2000 WGBH / Boston in association with Brook Lapping Productions and the BBC. All rights reserved.

[beaversmom]

Excellent two-part documentary about the Battle of Britain. Wonderful and touching first-hand accounts from the people that were there...soldiers, pilots, seamen, WAAFs, reporters, civilians, and children:

Finest Hour Part I

Finest Hour Part II

[beaversmom]

If anyone knows of a WWII/military ping list, please ping the keeper of the list.

[alfa6]

Home J does the NY times 70 years post in the Mornings so i will give hem a ping.

Hey Homer, lookee here

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[beaversmom]

Thank you. :)

[ken5050]

Good morning...thanks for the link...looks like a superb documentary..bookmarked for later viewing..

BTW..the 1969 film "The Battle of Britain" is a superb retelling of the battle. Well worth trying to find a copy...It has some amazing flight sequences. Fascinating factoid...the movie company, at the time of filming, was the FOURTH largest airforce in the world..

[beaversmom]

Good morning to you and thank you for the tip.

[21stCenturion]

...

[Daveinyork]

I’ve seen that movie several times. It was one of the best war movies I had ever seen, and until the Band of Brothers, the best representation of the sacrifices made by warriors in wartime.

[Rummyfan]

MFLR.

[RoosterRedux]

bfl

[Excellence]

History bump.

[GMMC0987]

Scary times in England. The U.S. National Rifle Association collected and shipped large numbers of privately donated rifles for use by the Home Guard. These were collected and destroyed after the war. Sigh...