Ep 1. The First Day

The First Day is the opening episode of Our World War season 1. The episode recounts the events of August 4, 1914, the day Britain declared war on Germany. A group of young soldiers from Manchester, who had been eagerly waiting for the war to start, find themselves thrown into the battle during the first wave of the British Expeditionary Force's attack on the German army in Belgium.

The episode is shot in a documentary-style format, with a narrator providing context and insight into the events and characters. It switches between the soldiers' perspectives and those of their commanders, giving an understanding of how military orders were given and carried out.

The soldiers are shown as enthusiastic and patriotic, but unprepared for the brutal reality of war. Their naïve excitement is quickly crushed when they see their comrades fall in battle. The episode follows their experiences as they struggle to survive the onslaught of enemy fire and to navigate the unfamiliar terrain and tactics of trench warfare.

The show is graphic and realistic, with scenes of bloody warfare and death. However, it does not glorify war, and the consequences of it are made clear. The soldiers are depicted as human beings with families and lives, who are forced to make difficult decisions and live with the consequences.

Throughout the episode, the soldiers are shown making sacrifices for each other and their country. The show explores themes of duty, loyalty, and the human cost of war.

Overall, The First Day is a gripping and emotional portrayal of the start of World War I. It sets the tone for the rest of the series, which continues to follow the soldiers' experiences throughout the war. The documentary-style format and use of real historical events and figures make the show an educational and valuable tool for understanding the realities of warfare.