War of the Century (3 DVD box set)

War of the Century documentary:

In 1941, Hitler broke the golden rule of never fighting on two fronts and marched into the Soviet Union. This is the story of Operation Barberossa and Germany's war against the Soviet Union. A war of a scale and intensity that far surpasses all wars before and after it, and which helped both change the course of World War II and define the borders and attitudes of Europe for the second half of the 20th century. Moving footage and in-depth interviews with people who lived and fought during this unique period bring the horrors and suffering of the time to life.

Episode 1 - HIGH HOPES: This episode examines why the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in the summer of 1941 and why it seemed that Hitler was ready to take Moscow in October of that year.

Episode 2 - SPIRAL OF TERROR: Soldiers on both sides fought around Moscow in extremely brutal conditions, but they were not the only ones who suffered. Some 13 million Soviet civilians died during Hitler's war against Stalin - more civilians than in any other war. This episode examines why this happened and sets it against the history of the brutal Nazi occupation and Stalin's own partisan warfare.

Episode 3 - LEARNING TO WIN: 1942 was a turbulent year on the Eastern Front. At the beginning of the year, the Germans were close to the gates of Moscow. By the end of the year, the mighty 6th Army was surrounded at Stalingrad.

Episode 4 - VENGEANCE: As the Red Army advanced west, many sought revenge, not only on Germany but also on their own citizens who had dared to allow themselves to be conquered by the enemy.

Radio Announcer Corey Burton