Churchill's War; Waffen--SS: Hitler's Elite Fighting Force

These two programs constitute Vols. 1 & 3, respectively, of the Battle for Europe: The War on Land and Sea series, though both stand alone as individual tapes. Comprised entirely of archival footage from the WWII period, both tapes feature off-camera narration which focuses on their respective subjects. In Churchill's War, viewers gain an understanding of the war from Britain's point of view. Coming to office at the outbreak of war, Prime Minister Winston Churchill adopted the now legendary stance of "Victory--victory at all costs," early on, and never wavered. As the capitals of Europe fell one by one to the onslaught of Hitler's blitzkrieg, Churchill found himself virtually alone on an island citadel which came to represent the last bastion of freedom for Europe. Bankrupted from purchasing arms from the isolationist U.S., Churchill eventually sold many British patents for inventions in exchange for the precious weapons being churned out in U.S. factories. Against nearly insurmountable odds, Churchill's Britain held on until later developments forced the U.S. to enter the war. In Waffen-SS, the history of Hitler's private army--from Himmler's small band of rugged bodyguards to the eventual vast organization who are best remembered as the butchers of non-German and German people alike--is detailed. Eschewing a condemnatory tone, the documentary focuses on the tremendous bravery and dedication of the SS fighting units at the front. Though despised by the regular army, the SS often led nearly suicidal charges and gained victories that would have been impossible with just the German army. While admitting that the Waffen-SS "bears a reputation which will remain forever stained with infamy," this even-handed documentary also acknowledges military achievements which would have been laudable had the underlying cause been just. Both titles are recommended. (Available from most distributors.)