Watch The Blitz: Britain On Fire

  • 2019
  • 1 Season

The Blitz: Britain On Fire is a documentary series that delves deep into the events of the Blitz -- the eight-month bombing campaign by the German Luftwaffe on Britain during World War II. The series is produced by Wall to Wall Media and was first aired in 2015 on BBC One.

The series consists of three episodes, each 60 minutes in length. It combines archive footage, eyewitness accounts, and expert analysis to give viewers a detailed insight into the experience of ordinary people during one of the darkest periods in British history.

The first episode, titled "The City," focuses on the destruction wrought upon London by the German bombings. It covers the initial raids in September 1940, known as the Baedeker Blitz, and the devastating attacks on the city's iconic landmarks, including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. The episode also explores the tireless efforts of the firefighters who risked their lives to save the city from total destruction.

The second episode, "The People," looks at how the Blitz affected the lives of the ordinary people of Britain. It highlights the resilience and bravery of those who faced the daily threat of bombing, including children who were evacuated from cities to the safety of the countryside. The episode also covers the important role played by women in the war effort, particularly in the factories and on the front lines.

The final episode, "The Legacy," examines the lasting impact of the Blitz on Britain. It explores the ways in which the war reshaped the country's social and economic landscape, and how the experiences of the Blitz continue to resonate with the British people to this day.

Throughout the series, viewers are given a sense of the scale of the destruction caused by the Blitz, with whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble and tens of thousands of lives lost. However, the series also focuses on the extraordinary efforts made by individuals to keep the country going during this time, from the firemen who battled the flames to the volunteers who helped to clear the debris.

One of the strengths of The Blitz: Britain On Fire is its use of eyewitness accounts to provide a personal perspective on the events of the war. Through interviews with those who lived through the Blitz, viewers are able to gain a greater understanding of the emotional toll that the bombings took on people's lives.

At the same time, the series also draws upon a wealth of historical expertise to offer viewers a broader context in which to understand the events of the war. Archival footage is used to great effect, bringing to life the bombings and the people involved in them, and providing a vivid sense of what it was like to experience the Blitz firsthand.

Overall, The Blitz: Britain On Fire is a powerful documentary series that gives viewers a detailed and compelling insight into one of the most significant events of the twentieth century. It is a moving tribute to the courage and resilience of the British people during one of the darkest periods in their history.

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Seasons
Rebuilding Lives
3. Rebuilding Lives
March 17, 2019
The account of what happened at the bombed-out maternity hospital continues as the story of one babies survival is revealed. Rob Bell reveals the heart-rending end to Margaret Johnson's story. Family members explain how their grandmother overcame the terrible loss of her children to rebuild her life. Today the family still place flowers on their grave.
The Bombing of Liverpool
2. The Bombing of Liverpool
March 10, 2019
The true story of Liverpool's May Blitz continues as Michael Buerk, Angellica Bell, and Rob Bell find out what life was like for people caught up in some of the most intense bombing ever experienced by a British city. Angellica picks up the story of Dr. Leonard Findlay and Matron Gertrude Riding as their hospital is bombed. Dr. Leonard's son Charles tells his father's incredible story.
When the Bombs Began to Fall
1. When the Bombs Began to Fall
March 3, 2019
Angellica Bell and Rob Bell present the first in this three-part stripped event which tells the story of 8 days of some of the most intense bombing ever experienced by a British city. This episode relives the events of the beginning of that week through the eyes of real people who were there as the bombs began to rain down.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    March 3, 2019