The World at War
The World at War is a TV show on Yesterday. Acclaimed British documentary series from the 1970s telling the story of World War II. The program has been available since 2025. A total of 26 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in December 2025.
Last episode
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1:00:00The World at War
Japan's involvement in World War II is the focus of this watershed in documentary-making. Narrated by the great Laurence Olivier, incredible interviews also help set the scene.
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1:00:00The final death throes of the Third Reich described by Laurence Olivier. Hitler retreats to his bunker as Germany crumbles around him and Allied troops arrive in Berlin.
1:00:00How did Heinrich Himmler plan to realise Hitler's vision of a pure Aryan Germany? Actor Laurence Olivier explains as he narrates the acclaimed documentary series about WWII.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier provides the narration to this World War II retrospective. Hear how 1944 saw the steady disintegration of the German war machine, as the Allies advanced.
1:00:00Hear how the Netherlands lived under Nazi rule for four years and how its people decided where their loyalties lay. Narrated by the late, great Laurence Olivier.
1:00:00England became a supply dump as the British and Americans assembled the largest invasion fleet in history for Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944. Laurence Olivier tells all.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier narrates this 26-part series, a milestone in TV history. Germany's progress loses momentum as the tide of the war turns in favour of the Allies.
1:00:00World War II as told by the late Laurence Olivier. Hear more about life on the British Home Front, a time of gas masks, digging for victory and evacuation.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier narrates the acclaimed documentary series on WWII. Hear how Japanese advances across Asia forced the Allies into ignominious retreat.
1:00:00The hugely respected chronology of WWII. Churchill described Italy as the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile', thinking the Allies could cut through it to reach Germany.
1:00:00The ultimate guide to World War II, narrated by Laurence Olivier. Bomber Command are unable to hit their targets precisely and attack German cities under cover of darkness.
1:00:00Following Operation Barbarossa in 1941, the Soviet Army battled the Germans almost alone for two years. Laurence Olivier recounts their efforts as the epic series continues.
1:00:00The definitive guide to World War II, narrated by the late, great Laurence Olivier. Hear how German U-boats caused havoc among Allied merchant shipping in the Atlantic.
1:00:00An epic timeline of WWII, as told by Laurence Olivier. After Hitler's initial territorial gains in Russia, his relentless advance was decisively stopped at Stalingrad.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier narrates this exhaustive account of World War II. In the deserts of North Africa, the 8th Army battles against Rommel's Afrika Korps.
1:00:00Recalling America's entry into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the great Laurence Olivier sheds more light on the deadliest conflict in history.
1:00:00December 7, 1941 saw the infamous Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Laurence Olivier revisits this pivotal moment of World War II in the much-praised documentary series.
1:00:00A milestone in TV history: Laurence Olivier tells the story of WWII. Hitler turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of victories, the Germans delay fatally.
1:00:00After Dunkirk, Britain faced an onslaught. Although the RAF won the Battle of Britain, our cities were blitzed. Laurence Olivier tells us more in the landmark series on WWII.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier narrates this epic, 26-part WWII retrospective. Hear how French military leaders made the disastrous mistake of preparing for a war similar to WWI.