The BBC at War

7.0
20151h

Production

Logo for BBC

An enthralling series exploring how the BBC fought not only Hitler but also the British government to become the institution it is today.

Seasons

2 Episodes • Premiered 2015

Still image for The BBC at War season 1 episode 1: The War of Words

1. The War of Words

Wholly unprepared for what was the world's first broadcast war, the BBC fended off complete government takeover and emerged a trusted global news source, transmitting in 47 languages. Using a wealth of preserved recordings and previously unseen documents, Jonathan Dimbleby uncovers the compelling story of how the BBC went into battle - against Hitler and Whitehall's ministers - and its part in the social revolution the war provoked.

Still image for The BBC at War season 1 episode 2: Into Battle

2. Into Battle

The conclusion of the two-part documentary examines the impact the BBC's broadcasts had on the war zone. Jonathan Dimbleby looks at how it provided a counterpoint to Nazi propaganda and a source of coded information for resistance groups. He also discusses how BBC correspondents were embedded with military units during D-Day, and recalls his own father's reporting on the liberation of Belsen and the fall of Berlin.

Cast

Photo of William Joyce

William Joyce

Himself - Lord Haw-Haw

Photo of Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Self (archive footage)

Photo of Jonathan Dimbleby

Jonathan Dimbleby

Self - Presenter

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