TV series
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century
1996, English, on PBS. Created by Jay Winter & Blaine Baggett.
Documentary series telling the history of the Great War, in which nine million people perished.
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century is a 1996 documentary series that aired on PBS. It chronicles World War I over eight episodes. It was narrated by Dame Judi Dench in the UK and Salome Jens in the United States. The series won two Primetime Emmy Awards: one for Jeremy Irons for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, the other for Outstanding Informational Series. In 1997, it was given a Peabody Award.
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 8
- Episode length
- Varies
- Status
- Ended in 1996
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Latest episode
S1 E8: War Without End
Aired 29 December 1996
Seasons 1
Cast & crew
- Jay WinterCreator
- Blaine BaggettCreator
- Salome JensNarrator (voice) · 8 ep
- René AuberjonoisJean Jaures / Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (voice) · 1 ep
- Helena Bonham CarterVera Brittain (voice) · 1 ep
- Leslie CaronCzarina Aleksandra Romanov (voice) · 1 ep
- Ralph FiennesWilfred Owen (voice) · 1 ep
- Malcolm McDowellCzar Nicholas II / Charles Stockwell / Stephen Graham (voice) · 1 ep
- Jürgen ProchnowKaiser Wilhelm II (voice) · 1 ep
- Natasha RichardsonVera Brittain · 1 ep
- Michael YorkRobert Graves / Harold Owen (voice) · 1 ep
Details
- First aired
- 10 November 1996
- Last aired
- 29 December 1996
- Network
- PBS
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
- Type
- Miniseries
Check ratings elsewhere
News & fan talk
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The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century: quick answers
Is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century worth watching?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How many seasons of The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century are there?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century has 1 season and 8 episodes.
Is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century finished?
Yes. The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century ended in 1996, so you can watch the whole story.
Which OTT platform is The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century on?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century isn’t listed on any OTT platform in India yet. (Checked 14 November 2026.)
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
No age rating is listed for The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century yet.
What shows are like The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century?
If you liked The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century, try World War II with Tom Hanks, Biography, American Experience.
Who created The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century?
The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century was created by Jay Winter and Blaine Baggett and stars Salome Jens, René Auberjonois, Helena Bonham Carter.