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
Improve your knowledge of WWII with this acclaimed series narrated by Laurence Olivier. As the Nazi war machine sweeps across Europe, an uneasy calm settles on Britain.
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1:00:00Legendary actor Laurence Olivier narrates the definitive series on World War II. Hear why Germany, stricken by defeat in WWI, looked to Adolf Hitler for hope.
1:00:00Laurence Olivier narrates the iconic, 26-part documentary series about World War II. As peace descends in 1945, the series ends with a sombre reminder of the human cost.
1:00:00Discover how the superpowers established a new political order at the end of World War II. Laurence Olivier's narration and interviews with statesmen paint a vivid picture.
1:00:00The critically acclaimed documentary series all about World War II. Hear about the Allied scientists' controversial efforts to develop a new, immensely powerful weapon.
1:00:00World War II in revealing detail, narrated by the great actor Laurence Olivier. Hear how the Americans fought their way across the Pacific towards Japan and the Philippines.
1:00:00Japan'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.
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.