The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century(1996)

Documentary series telling the history of the Great War, in which nine million people perished.

The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is a 1996 PBS documentary series that examines World War I across eight episodes. Spanning the conflict's origins, major battles, and lasting consequences, the series traces how the war reshaped global politics, society, and culture in the decades that followed. Dame Judi Dench narrates the UK version while Salome Jens provides narration for American audiences. The series combines archival footage, photographs, and expert analysis to bring the era to life. Its critical acclaim was immediate: it won two Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for Jeremy Irons, plus a Peabody Award in 1997. Essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand how the Great War fundamentally altered the modern world.