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The Best Episodes of The World at War Season 1

Every episode of The World at War Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The World at War Season 1!

Binge this in 23h 11m•Peaking at 9.2/10

A documentary series that gives a historical account of the events of World War II, from its roots in the 1920s to the aftermath and the lives it profoundly influenced.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The World at War Season 1 Episode 1 - A New Germany (1933–1939)
    8.7/10(790 votes)

    #1 - A New Germany (1933–1939)

    S1:E1

    Germany, a nation stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from crippling economic depression, looks to one man for a resurgence of hope and dignity. That man is Adolf Hitler…

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The World at War Season 1 Episode 2 - Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)
    8.3/10(635 votes)

    #2 - Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)

    S1:E2

    In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the 'phoney' war, with the sound of distant guns thundering ominously on the horizon…

    Director:David Elstein
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The World at War Season 1 Episode 3 - France Falls (May–June 1940)
    8.8/10(597 votes)

    #3 - France Falls (May–June 1940)

    S1:E3

    France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Britain retreats and prepares for invasion.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The World at War Season 1 Episode 4 - Alone (May 1940–May 1941)
    8.6/10(564 votes)

    #4 - Alone (May 1940–May 1941)

    S1:E4

    After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the RAF wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the continent, the last Allies are conquered. The outlook is grim.

    Director:David Elstein
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The World at War Season 1 Episode 5 - Barbarossa (June–December 1941)
    8.9/10(577 votes)

    #5 - Barbarossa (June–December 1941)

    S1:E5

    Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russian winter takes a grip.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The World at War Season 1 Episode 6 - Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)
    8.5/10(517 votes)

    #6 - Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)

    S1:E6

    At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7th 1941, Japan makes their infamous attack on Pearl Harbour.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. The World at War Season 1 Episode 7 - On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)
    8.4/10(496 votes)

    #7 - On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)

    S1:E7

    Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The World at War Season 1 Episode 8 - The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)
    8.5/10(478 votes)

    #8 - The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)

    S1:E8

    For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The World at War Season 1 Episode 9 - Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)
    9.0/10(532 votes)

    #9 - Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)

    S1:E9

    Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the Russians emerging as victors. The Wehrmacht never recovers.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The World at War Season 1 Episode 10 - Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)
    8.3/10(461 votes)

    #10 - Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)

    S1:E10

    In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.

    Director:Ted Childs
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The World at War Season 1 Episode 11 - Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)
    8.8/10(485 votes)

    #11 - Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)

    S1:E11

    For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survives and triumphs - but with a loss of no less than twenty million of its people.

    Director:Martin Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The World at War Season 1 Episode 12 - Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)
    8.4/10(450 votes)

    #12 - Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)

    S1:E12

    Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and destruction that will win the war.

    Director:Ted Childs
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The World at War Season 1 Episode 13 - Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)
    8.5/10(428 votes)

    #13 - Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)

    S1:E13

    Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany. By the soft underbelly turned out to be a 'tough old gut'.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The World at War Season 1 Episode 14 - It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)
    8.5/10(422 votes)

    #14 - It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow: Burma (1942–1944)

    S1:E14

    Vera Lynn sang of a lovely day tomorrow, but the war in Burma was mud and monsoon. Britain's largest army learned to master the jungle and fought the Japanese to standstill.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The World at War Season 1 Episode 15 - Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)
    8.0/10(977 votes)

    #15 - Home Fires: Britain (1940–1944)

    S1:E15

    Finding strength in unity at home in Britain during the war, it was a time of gas masks, Winston Churchill, Dig for Victory, evacuation, George Formby, the Land Army, ITMA, the Squander Bug and the Beveridge Report.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The World at War Season 1 Episode 16 - Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)
    8.9/10(443 votes)

    #16 - Inside the Reich: Germany (1940–1944)

    S1:E16

    Initial victory in Europe turns sour after the defeat at Stalingrad, yet Germany prepares to fight to the end - even after an assassination attempt on the Führer.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The World at War Season 1 Episode 17 - Morning (June–August 1944)
    9.0/10(423 votes)

    #17 - Morning (June–August 1944)

    S1:E17

    The Western Allies resolve to invade Europe. England becomes a floating supply dump and the British and Americans assemble the largest invasion fleet in history. It is June 6th 1944 - D Day.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The World at War Season 1 Episode 18 - Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)
    8.6/10(409 votes)

    #18 - Occupation: Holland (1940–1944)

    S1:E18

    Through a neutral country, Holland is attacked by Germany without warning in 1940. During the next four years, life carries on seemingly without incident, but underneath resistance never dies.

    Director:Michael Darlow
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The World at War Season 1 Episode 19 - Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)
    8.5/10(402 votes)

    #19 - Pincers (August 1944–March 1945)

    S1:E19

    The end of the war appears close at hand with the liberation of Paris in 1944, but the British and Americans disagree on how to advance. Meanwhile, Poland suffers devastating losses to achieve victory.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The World at War Season 1 Episode 20 - Genocide (1941–1945)
    9.2/10(520 votes)

    #20 - Genocide (1941–1945)

    S1:E20

    The Nazi's are racist; the Aryans are a master race, others, particularly the Jews are sub-human. Himmler's SS sets about ridding Europe of millions of Jews.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The World at War Season 1 Episode 21 - Nemesis (February–May 1945)
    9.0/10(421 votes)

    #21 - Nemesis (February–May 1945)

    S1:E21

    Hitler retreats to the Fuhrer bunker is Berlin as Germany crumbles around him and his lieutenants abandon him to a fate of suicide. Meanwhile, the Russians raise the red flag in Berlin.

    Director:Martin Smith
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The World at War Season 1 Episode 22 - Japan (1941–1945)
    8.5/10(395 votes)

    #22 - Japan (1941–1945)

    S1:E22

    Initially apprehensive about the outcome of declaring war, the Japanese quickly turn to celebration with early victory. In the end, their worst fears are unimaginably exceeded.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The World at War Season 1 Episode 23 - Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)
    8.7/10(394 votes)

    #23 - Pacific - The Island to Island War (February 1942–July 1945)

    S1:E23

    The Americans fight their way across the Pacific towards Japan and the Phillipines. Perhaps the bloodiest campaign of all, each island has to be taken by storm and the Japanese fight to the last man.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The World at War Season 1 Episode 24 - The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)
    8.9/10(402 votes)

    #24 - The Atomic Bomb (February–September 1945)

    S1:E24

    Western scientists have developed a new, immensely powerful weapon - the atomic bomb. On August 6th 1945, the Enola Gay delivers the world's first atomic bomb to Hiroshima. The world would be forever altered.

    Director:David Elstein
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The World at War Season 1 Episode 25 - Reckoning (April 1945)
    8.6/10(378 votes)

    #25 - Reckoning (April 1945)

    S1:E25

    The war ends slowly and messily. Britain is victorious but exhausted and the super-powers confront each other as they decide the fate of Europe.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"A New Germany (1933–1939)" is the best rated episode of "The World at War" season 1. It scored 8.7/10 based on 790 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/31/1973. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)".