WWII in HD

World War II was a massive event that shaped the rest of the 20th century. This History Channel documentary features over seven hours of rare color footage from the conflict—much never seen before—presented with high-definition remastering. Drawing from journals and first-person accounts to tell the stories of 12 Americans, including a combat pilot, a Tuskegee airman, a Japanese American soldier, and a female nurse, WWII in HD, narrated by Gary Sinise, covers memorable battles as it shuttles between Europe and the Pacific. Hobbled by longstanding isolationism and small, poorly equipped armed forces, America was initially ill-equipped to step onto the world stage. But the Pearl Harbor bombing on December 7, 1941 was a swift and stunning wake-up call, after which the U.S. rapidly mobilized, but still suffered early defeats in North Africa and the Philippines. The film doesn't flinch from graphic depictions of initial tests such as Guadalcanal, followed by fierce fighting on remote islands, atolls, and jungle outposts, culminating in the push to the Japanese homeland and bloody, iconic battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Meanwhile, the triumphant Allied storming of “fortress Europe” is tempered by the bitter cold of the Battle of the Bulge and eventual discovery of the Nazi death camps. WWII in HD does a superb and intensely dramatic job of capturing the surreal quality of war, with its suicidal, last-ditch stands, and wasteful death by “friendly fire.” DVD/Blu-ray extras include two behind-the-scenes featurettes and character profiles. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)