The Great War (1964): S01E04 – Our Hats We Doff to General Joffre

Introduction The Great War is a 26-episode BBC documentary series from 1964 on the First World War. The documentary was a co-production of the Imperial War Museum, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The narrator was Michael Redgrave, with readings by Marius Goring, Ralph Richardson, Cyril Luckham, Sebastian…

Andrew Marshall

11/08/2021

1–2 minutes

History, Military Documentary, World War One

Introduction

The Great War is a 26-episode BBC documentary series from 1964 on the First World War.

The documentary was a co-production of the Imperial War Museum, the British Broadcasting Corporation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The narrator was Michael Redgrave, with readings by Marius Goring, Ralph Richardson, Cyril Luckham, Sebastian Shaw, and Emlyn Williams.

Outline

The events preceding the First Battle of the Marne. The fighting retreat of British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the French in the West, Russian invasion of East Prussia and German counter-attack at Tannenberg. The Battle of Mons, the First Battle of Guise and preparations for the defence of Paris. Interviewees include Robert Cotton Money, Edward Spears and Stefan Westmann.

The Great War Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Great War here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 20 June 1964.
Running time: 40 minutes.
Rating: Unknown.
Country: UK.
Language: English.