User Reviews

Last year (2009), I wanted to observe Memorial Day by watching and reviewing the Frank Capra documentary series "Why We Fight". This time around, it's going to take a bit more time, as the "Victory At Sea" series consists of twenty six half hour episodes. It was produced in 1952 by the National Broadcasting Company in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. Narrated by Leonard Graves and backed by a Richard Rodgers original score, the series chronicles America's entry into World War II and the major campaigns of the Pacific Theater.

One of the most striking elements that hit you right from the outset is how much of the footage is sourced from archives of the enemy. You get to see German naval and submarine sailors celebrating attacks against their victims, and Japanese leaders planning their strategy for world conquest. It's a unique glimpse at an enemy intent on the destruction of Europe and the rest of the Free World.

The first chapter, 'Design For War' doesn't spend much time on background. It delves right into the period around September 1941 when American and Canadian ships joined British forces in the Atlantic in an attempt to protect merchant cargoes crossing the sea lanes. The Nazi war machine deemed it necessary to isolate and defeat Britain, and directed their effort to improving and enlarging their submarine command. German 'wolf packs' targeted merchant convoys, while at the same time, Nazi air power hammered Britain relentlessly.

Given the era, one of the most striking things you'll notice while watching is how destructive enemy weapons proved to be. In some instances, it only took a single torpedo to sink or obliterate a naval vessel. Following this death and destruction, one is struck by the celebrations of victory in the streets of Berlin by a German populace held in thrall by their charismatic Hitler. And this was just the beginning.

This was a very impressive opening show, the first of a 26-part series on World War II. Wow, I hadn't seen these since I was a small child. My father loved this TV series and watched them all. He made it a big deal whenever it came on, beginning in 1952.

Actually, I can see why: it is very well-done, and with the revival of World War II tributes in recent years, this would make a good addition to anyone who has the Ken Burns' "The War" set or the recent "WWII In HD" series. Although this program was aired 56 years ago, the footage and photography in here is outstanding. The Mill Creek DVD set of these 26 shows on three discs comes very cheap, too.

In our first glimpse of this award-winning documentary, we hear narrator Leonard Graves, who is very dramatic, maybe a bit overdoing it but he keeps things lively. For instance, he opens the program with: "Ships are sinking"......(long pause)....."Men are dying.".....(long pause)...."It is war!" It is also September of 1939, as Graves points out, a good two years before the U.S. enters the world war. We see Germany on the attack in the waters, skies and on land. In the water, the first action shots of this series are U-boat torpedoing British ships. We see a German captain celebrating after one direct hit. The Germans plan to defeat Britain was, the narrator points out, through the Atlantic Ocean by cutting off their cargo. If food and other supplies can't get to England, they reasoned, they could starve the UK into submission.

Although not in the war yet, the U.S. comes to the aid, and so does Canada, although neither are prepared at that time to match the superior German firepower.

Even though this is primarily a naval series, we see footage of the Germans taking Holland, Belgium and France as the Nazis invade the rest of Europe. We see a smiling and jubilant Hitler standing in front of the Eiffel Tower and Frenchmen weep. This program also also provides some stunning shots of the German airplanes bombing London.

In all, I was surprised how good this series appears it is going to be. I guess when you're very young you don't appreciate photography and a good documentary as much as when you get much older....but I had no memory that "Victory At Sea: was this good a series. I'm looking forward to the rest of the set.