Series synopsis
Doomsday: World War I, also known as Weltenbrand is a German documentary war & politics television series that premiered on ZDF on September 18, 2012. It ended on October 2, 2012. It stars Christian Brückner, Sönke Neitzel, Ian Kershaw and Tim Pigott-Smith.
The First World War - carnage on a scale never-before seen. But how did it all start? And how did some key figures of WWII fare in the earlier war?
Premise
The First World War - carnage on a scale never-before seen. But how did it all start? And how did some key figures of WWII fare in the earlier war?
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Christian Brückner as Erzähler
- Sönke Neitzel as Selbst - Historiker
- Ian Kershaw as Selbst - Historiker
- Tim Pigott-Smith as Narrator - English Release
Guest cast
- Alan Kramer as Self - Historian
- King George V of the United Kingdom as Self (archive footage)
- Viktoria Luise von Preußen as Self (archive footage)
- Annette Becker as Self - Author
- Stefan Martens as Self - Historian
- Nicolas Beaupré as Self - Author
- Stig Förster as Self - Military Historian
- Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany as Self (archive footage)
- Hew Strachan as Self - Historian
- Vladimir Lenin as Self (archive footage)
- Erich Ludendorff as Self (archive footage)
- Piet Chielens as Self - Museum Director
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | September 18, 2012 | October 2, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Fall of Man Montgomery and Hitler: two WWII leaders who participated in the start of the conflict that would define the first half of the 20th century – WWI. Like so many others, they go into the battles of the “Great War” in high spirits – still oblivious to the real meaning of the advance of modern military technology: random and merciless killing on a scale previously unheard of and hitherto technically impossible. It is a turning point in the history of the world. Eventually, Hitler will use his wartime experiences to bait the German people with the promise to make amends for the results of the First World War. |
September 18, 2012 |
| 2 |
Purgatory In March 1916 at the battle of Verdun, Captain Charles De Gaulle is wounded by a bayonet and forced to surrender to German forces. It’s a bitter moment for the battle-hardened officer. His time as a German POW shapes his impressions of Germany, and will have a profound impact on his stance during World War II and right into the post-war era. Meanwhile, Herman Goering makes reconnaissance flights over the battlefield of Verdun and downs a number of enemy aircraft. He’s fighting the ‘chivalrous war’ in the air. Would their later actions have been different, had their WWI experiences have taken an alternative shape? |
September 25, 2012 |
| 3 |
Battle of Nations In August and September 1918 the German Army suffers defeat after defeat, overwhelmed by Allied superiority in supplies, men and machinery – a crushing experience for a devout nationalist like the young Walter Model. The emerging American tank troops have been trained by Lieutenant Colonel George S. Patton. At the end of September 1918, he leads some tanks into battle and is wounded. Recovering from his wounds he witnesses the end of World War One. Germany has been brought to its knees. But could the bitter pill of defeat have created a generation of young Germans, ready to avenge the humiliation of WWI? |
October 2, 2012 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ZDF |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 18, 2012 |
| Last aired | October 2, 2012 |
| Runtime | 45 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Tuesday at 20:15:00 |