Introduction

Documentary examining Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

Outline

War of the Century: When Hitler Fought Stalin, is a BBC documentary film series that examines Adolf Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and the no-holds-barred war on both sides.

It not only examines the war but also the terror inside the Soviet Union at the time due to the paranoia of Joseph Stalin – the revenge atrocities, the Great Purge of army officers, the near-lunatic orders, and the paranoia of being upstaged by others, especially Marshal Zhukov.

The historical adviser is Ian Kershaw.

Trivia

• Companion Book: Rees, Laurence (30 September 1999). War of the Century: When Hitler Fought Stalin. BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-38477-9.

War of the Century Series

• Episode 01: High Hopes.
• Episode 02: Spiral of Terror.
• Episode 03: Learning to Win.
• Episode 04: Vengeance.

Production & Filming Details

• Narrator(s): Samuel West.
• Director(s): Laurence Rees.
• Writer(s): Laurence Rees.
• Producer(s): Laurence Rees, Martina Balazova, Tom Lasica, Detlef Siebert, and Alexandra Umminger.
• Music: Brian Biffin.
• Cinematography: Martin Patmore, Stefan Thissen, and Jens Tukiendorf.
• Editor(s): Alan Lygo and Volkers Zielke.
• Production: BBC and Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR).
• Distributor(s): BBC (original airing).
• Original Network: BBC Two.
• Release Date: 05 October 1999 to 26 October 1999.
• Running Time: 200 minutes (total running time).
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7jpOLytiZg