Apocalypse: The Second World War

Apocalypse: The Second World War is a six-part French documentary series about the Second World War. The series is composed exclusively of actual footage of the war as filmed by war correspondents, soldiers, resistance fighters and private citizens.

The series is shown in color, with the black and white footage being fully colorized, save for some original color footage. The only exception to the treatment are most Holocaust scenes, which are presented in the original black and white.

Episode 1: The Aggression

The first episode starts briefly in the end of World War II, in May 1945. It seeks to understand why all of the war came to pass.

It then cuts to 1939 where Germany, under the guise of then leader Adolph Hitler, starts the war. The German and Soviet invasion of Poland crushes the last hopes for a peaceful resolution of political tensions. Great Britain and France have no choice but to declare war on Hitler. Meanwhile, Hitler makes a bold, fearsome plan for the invasion of France.

Episode 2: The Crushing Defeat

The German offensive rages across Europe while Mussolini’s facist Italy joins the war along side their German allies.

Episode 3: Shock

As America joins the war and begins to re-arm, Hitler attacks the USSR to complete his domination of Europe before the U.S. can intervene.

Episode 4: The World Ablaze

Despite their determined resistance, the Allied forces are unable to slow the furious progress of the Japanese army through South-East Asia. Even India and Australia are at risk.

Episode 5: The Great Landing

Episode 5 sees how the Russians continue to resist at Stalingrad, and the Eastern Front is stalled. In the North Atlantic, the Allies make progress in reducing the threat from German U-boats.

Episode 6: Inferno

In 1944, the Allies land in Italy, but their advance is blocked by the Wehrmacht. Meanwhile, the Red Army, continuing its inexorable advance to the west, finally reaches Berlin.