The Great War, first broadcast in 1964, was a key event in the development of television. Though the medium had been broadcasting news and features for a decade, many people considered it primarily a form of light entertainment and doubted it was a suitable vehicle for a 26-part historical series of such obvious educational intent. When The Great War came on screen, combining historical exposition with contemporary footage and survivors’ testimony, it created a genre and altered perceptions of television’s potential.

This documentary contains useful material for history and media studies, and acts as a curtain-raiser for a repeat of The Great War itself, starting directly afterwards on BBC2 (6.30-7.10pm) and BBC4 (7.10-7.50pm).