World War I in Color

Cinematically speaking, World War I was in black and white, not color, but thanks to a team of nearly 500 computer technicians who worked more than five months on archival films acquired from Russia, Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, and the United States, World War I in Color presents the first worldwide conflict in remarkably realistic color (maintaining a historical flavor, the coloration is not overtly bold or vivid). Originally airing on the History Channel, this double-disc compilation of the six-part series, narrated by Sir Kenneth Branagh, powerfully conveys a sense of what soldiers, sailors, and airmen saw in a war that witnessed the development of new and deadlier forms of armaments: tanks, submarines, and most spectacular of all, airplanes--featuring footage (75% of which has not been previously shown on television) filmed between 1914-1919. Episodes include "Catastrophe," "Slaughter in the Trenches," "Blood in the Air," "Killers of the Sea," "Mayhem on the Eastern Front," and "Victory and Despair," with the 50-minute CGI special "Tactics & Strategy" included as a DVD bonus, along with a behind-the-scenes featurette. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Carlson)