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One of the most famous documentaries ever made about WWII, this is an essential account of the defence of Britain between 10th May 1940 to 10th May 1941. This is history brought alive and it's riveting, says Michael Brooke.

When David Cameron made his notorious gaffe about Britain being the "junior partner" to the Americans in 1940, he inadvertently proved that documentaries such as Blitz on Britain - the classic account of the history of the German Blitz and the British response will become increasingly essential as living memory fades. Constructed entirely from contemporary newsreel footage, and knitted together with an authoritative commentary from veteran broadcaster Alastair Cooke, it spans a year from May 1940, covering the threatened German invasion of Britain, its successful repulsion by massed hordes of Spitfires, and the subsequent bombings of Coventry, London and other cities in revenge. While it mainly showcases the big stories, it also celebrates numerous acts of overt and understated heroism performed by the armed forces, civil authorities (the firefighters were faced with an unprecented task) and civilians on the ground - or indeed under it, as Tube stations were pressed into service as mass shelters. This is history coming alive to riveting effect: just imagine if we had equivalent you-are-there accounts of Hastings, Trafalgar or the Spanish Armada.

 

Michael Brooke on 28th July 2010
View all 106 of Michael Brooke's reviews