Sorry if this is not truly on topic, but I felt it wasn't really a WWII film topic. Does anyone recall seeing the late 1970's 20 part series "The Unknown War", by Air Time International and narrated by Burt Lancaster, devoted entirely to the war on the Eastern Front? If my memory serves correctly, the opening sequence showed a ringing bell with pictures of the war showing up in the bell as it made its upward swing towards the camera. I have been doing a bit of research on it, and it appears that it was not well received, as its timing was unlucky, having been released on the heels of the famous "World at War" series. However, it was made using many never before seen film clips and such. I do recall it being quite well done, with very sobering and somber themes and writing. Does anyone know if this series was ever released on videotape or DVD? I see the US Library of Congress has copies of it, but I do not see it available anywhere else. Just wondering if anyone else here remembers this series, what their impressions were of it, and if they have ever seen it available for private viewing?
I remember seeing it and always thought it was some kind of cooperative extension of "World at War" series. I thought it was good because it did focus on the Eastern front. I have not heard of it being released on VHS/DVD. It would be a nice collection.
I am fairly certain that this is it - or at least part of it : - http://www.ddvideo.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=69852&p_i=69852 DD are the UK's largest wholesaler/producer of military interest videos/DVDs. Some years back I bought the 'Kursk' part of this set and it was certainly as you described, with Burt Lancaster walking part of the Kursk battlefield.
Yes, that looks like it. Too bad they don't have the whole series, and it looks like because I am in the States, I can not purchase these videos. Bummer... Did you find that the Kursk video was worth the money?
The series is now available on DVD, made from copies of the original VHS (not remastered). Unfortunately, it is only available to US buyers. Buy The Unknown War on DVD
