WWII in Colour: The Gathering Storm

Editor's Take

Opening the series, this chapter sets up the war by tracing the economic collapse and political turmoil left by the First World War, and the rise of aggressive regimes across Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain. Colorized archival footage is its signature device, lending immediacy to events usually seen in monochrome. The method is conventional narrative history, using restored imagery to close the distance to the period. It is a clear scene-setter for the conflict that follows.

This opening episode of World War II in Colour sets the stage for the conflict, tracing the economic collapse and political turmoil that followed the First World War. Using colourised footage, it shows how depression and resentment fed the rise of aggressive regimes in Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain. The restored colour lends immediacy to the years when the gathering storm became unstoppable. It is a vivid account of how the world drifted toward war. Free to watch in HD on Dr Documentary.

Courtesy of Free Documentary History on YouTube. Watch on YouTube ↗

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