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The War

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2007
  • TV-14
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
9.0/10
6K
YOUR RATING
The War (2007)
The War: Pearl Harbor
Play clip3:49
Watch The War: Pearl Harbor
1 Video
39 Photos
History DocumentaryMilitary DocumentaryDocumentaryHistoryWar

A seven-part series focusing on the many ways in which the Second World War impacted the lives of American families.A seven-part series focusing on the many ways in which the Second World War impacted the lives of American families.A seven-part series focusing on the many ways in which the Second World War impacted the lives of American families.

  • Stars
    • Keith David
    • Katharine Phillips
    • Tom Hanks
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.0/10
    6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Keith David
      • Katharine Phillips
      • Tom Hanks
    • 52User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 8 wins & 12 nominations total

    Episodes7

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2007

    Videos1

    The War: Pearl Harbor
    Clip 3:49
    The War: Pearl Harbor

    Photos39

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    Top cast60

    Edit
    Keith David
    Keith David
    • Self - Narrator
    • 2007
    Katharine Phillips
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    Tom Hanks
    Tom Hanks
    • Al McIntosh…
    Paul Fussell
    • Self - Infantry
    • 2007
    Quentin Aanenson
    • Self - Resident of Luverne, Minnesota
    • 2007
    Burt Wilson
    • Self - Resident of Sacramento, California…
    • 2007
    Sascha Weinzheimer
    • Self - Resident of Sacramento Valley, California
    • 2007
    Sam Hynes
    • Self - Marine Pilot
    • 2007
    Daniel Inouye
    Daniel Inouye
    • Self - Infantry…
    • 2007
    Rebecca Holtz
    • Reader
    Glenn D. Frazier
    • Self - Prisoner of War…
    • 2007
    Emma Belle Pelcher
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    Olga Ciarlo
    • Self - Resident of Waterbury, Connecticut…
    • 2007
    Maurice Bell
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    Dwain Luce
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    John Gray
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    Sidney Phillips
    • Self - Resident of Mobile, Alabama
    • 2007
    Susumu Satow
    • Self - Resident of Sacramento, California
    • 2007
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews52

    9.05.9K
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    Featured reviews

    10nytexcel

    Compared to what?

    I'm glad that the other reviewers here have seen, and enjoyed "The Civil War" by the same filmmaker. However, I don't see why it is so important to them to explain that they enjoyed it more than this film. Especially without explaining if they enjoyed this film more than other documentaries ON WORLD WAR TWO! It's apples 'n oranges folks.

    I, for one, am enjoying it (last installment, tonight!) immensely. And, I would say, MORE than any other WORLD WAR TWO DOCUMENTARY I have ever seen (and I believe that I've seen most all of them). Focusing on four American towns was just the right size character study for this subject. Very, very, good film.
    10NicolaTesla

    For all future generations

    This beautiful work of art touches the heart and soul. Truly one of the best things ever written and constructed in film. I've seen it five times and still moves me to my core Thank you mr Ward and mr Burns for this most important piece of historic telling for us an all our future generations
    10gentleman-bill

    Some Just Don't Get It

    The music criticisms are from folks who apparently didn't live through the era. Swing songs were what everybody was listening to, dancing to and romancing to during WW II. In my opinion, the music was perfect. Even our GI's listened to it wherever they were. Even I, as a young boy remember nearly every song because I lived during those difficult times. The music picked up our spirits, took our minds off the horrible stories of combat and death occurring all around us. The sad and slow symphonic and odd flute sounds should remind one of the eerie and uncommon circumstances we all had to face during those times. And that death in combat is not a usual experience for most of us. Actually, I think the combat sequences and death scenes should be required viewing for all the kids being raised and educated today. They need to see the horrible sacrifices this nation made to be certain they, we and many other nations remained free from maniacal tyrants and killers like the Jap emperor Hirohito, Tojo, Hitler and all their ilk, and still some who stalk this country as you read this. If everyone watched and listened without criticizing to the message of those who fought this war, the families who remained at home and worried, cried, prayed and mourned their dead, they might just get in tune with why this country is so great. We get to watch films like this because our fighting men and women knew the value of freedom and many, too many, sacrificed, were wounded physically and mentally, and too often paid the ultimate price so we can watch these films and don't have to speak Japanese, German or any other conqueror's language. So, shut up about the music already! Listen to the message! Please.
    9Koval

    No subs? No problem.

    "Dear God, we need your help real bad. Don't send anyone else but yourself, neither. Not even Jesus. 'Cause this is no place for kids."

    I'm half way through the series and am absorbing it like a sponge. Fantastic story tellers, especially that pilot, Quentin Annensen (sp?). Oscar-winning actors couldn't have done it any better, telling chilling stories that make me realize how lucky I am, as a young man, to not have to experience such things. (...And I thought I had drama in my life.)

    My Grandfather survived the war on various submarines, so I've been a bit disappointed there's been no mention, so far, of sub warfare. But as the series describes, "there were millions of people involved and millions of stories." I'm not too upset.

    To the filmmakers, terrific job. To the vets, I'll always remember you.
    10fixcasa

    Feeling Closer to Dad

    I am a 1958 Baby Boomer. My dad was a medic with the 97th. Now I know why he didn't really talk about the war much. He mostly talked about the friends he had made, and the sites that he had seen. After viewing some of the grizzly images in "The War", I can only imagine the horror he must have endured caring for the wounded and dead. My dad passed away in 1999, but I found myself often while watching "The War" wishing that he were there sitting next to me to answer many of the questions that this documentary brought to mind. Mostly I wanted to give him a big hug. I feel that I know and understand Dad so much better now. Thanks Dad and thanks Ken Burns.

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    Related interests

    Martin Luther King in I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
    History Documentary
    They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
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    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary
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    History
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    War

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in Ken Burns: America's Storyteller (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Passacaglia: The Death of Falstaff
      Written by William Walton

      Performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin conducting

      Music originally in Henry V (1944)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does The War have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 23, 2007 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • PBS (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Война
    • Filming locations
      • Sacramento, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Florentine Films
      • WETA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 4m(124 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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