Introduction

World War II: When Lions Roared (original title; also known as Then There Were Giants) is a two-part miniseries.

As the world was at the brink, the three most powerful men in world history met and decided its fate.

Outline

FDR, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin form an unlikely union amidst the growing tensions of WWII, and their alliance changes the world. Focusing heavily on the relationships between these leaders and their adaptive strategies concerning the Tehran Conference and the opening of a Western Front, these three man help shape the post-War world.

Part 01 here.

Cast

• Michael Caine … Joseph Stalin, 2 episodes, 1994.
• Bob Hoskins … Winston Churchill, 2 episodes, 1994.
• John Lithgow … Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2 episodes, 1994.
• Ed Begley Jr. … Harry Hopkins, 2 episodes, 1994.
• Jan Tríska … Vyacheslav Molotav.
• Corey Burton … Radio Announcer (uncredited).

Trivia

• This production was the first to be filmed expressly for broadcast in high-definition television (HDTV) format.
• The script uses a lot of verbatim dialogue taken from transcripts and books, including Sir Winston Churchill’s memoirs.
• John Lithgow (Franklin D. Roosevelt) played Sir Winston Churchill in The Crown (2016).
• At 6’2″, Sir Michael Caine is nine inches taller than Iosif Stalin was.
• Adapted from a script for a projected twelve hour play.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Joseph Sargent.
• Producer(s):
  • Bruce M. Kerner … supervising producer.
  • David W. Rintels … producer.
  • Victoria Riskin … co-producer.
  • Ethel Winant … executive producer.
• Writer(s):
  • David W. Rintels.
• Music:
  • John Morris.
• Cinematography:
  • John A. Alonzo.
• Editor(s):
  • John A. Martinelli.
• Production:
  • Gideon Productions.
  • The Kushner-Locke Company.
  • World International Network (WIN).
• Distributor(s):
  • National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1994) (USA) (TV) (original airing).
  • Aquarius TV (2001) (Greece) (TV).
  • ILC Prime (2003) (UK) (DVD).
  • Aquarius TV (2005) (Greece) (DVD).
  • RCV Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD).
  • Koch Vision (2007) (USA) (DVD).
  • Multicom Entertainment Group (2012) (World-wide) (all media).
  • True Entertainment (2014) (UK) (TV).
• Release Date: 19 April 1994.
• Rating: PG.
• Running Time: 3 hours 14 minutes (total running time).
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Clip(s)