Series synopsis
Brothers at War, also known as Der Bruderkrieg – Deutsche und Franzosen (1870/71) is a German documentary war & politics television series that premiered on ARTE on February 18, 2020. It ended on February 25, 2020. It was created by Linn Sackarnd, Hermann Pölking-Eiken. It stars Hans Henrik Wöhler, Julie d'Andurain, Daniel Schönpflug and Robert Tombs.
A look back at a cruel conflict, the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), which changed the political geography of Europe and sowed the seeds of a deep antagonism between France and Germany that culminated in two world wars. Excerpts from the diaries of the witnesses, photographs and painted panoramas tell the truth about a forgotten war.
Premise
A look back at a cruel conflict, the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), which changed the political geography of Europe and sowed the seeds of a deep antagonism between France and Germany that culminated in two world wars. Excerpts from the diaries of the witnesses, photographs and painted panoramas tell the truth about a forgotten war.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Hans Henrik Wöhler as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Julie d'Andurain as Self - Historian
- Daniel Schönpflug as Self - Historian
- Robert Tombs as Self - Historian
- Michael Epkenhans as Self - Historian
- Laurent Thurnherr as Self - Historian
- Karine Varley as Self - Historian
- Christine Krüger as Self - Historian
Guest cast
- Sarah Schindler as Geneviève Bréton (voice)
- Peter Kaempfe as William Howard Russell (voice)
- Fabian Oscar Wien as Paul Bronsart von Schellendorff (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | February 18, 2020 | February 25, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Parisienne's Memoirs of War Geneviève Bréton, a 20-year-old woman belonging to the Parisian intellectual bourgeoisie, recounts in her diary the siege of the city from September 1870 to January 1871. |
February 18, 2020 |
| 2 |
William Howard Russell, War Photographer Considered one of the first war correspondents, the British journalist William Howard Russell was sent to the Prussian General Staff by the London Times to cover the war. From the Battle of Bazeilles in August 1870 until the proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles after the French defeat in January 1871, his observations depict the cruelty of the conflict for both military and civilians. |
February 11, 2020 |
| 3 |
The Diaries of a Prussian Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Bronsart von Schellendorff greatly contributed to the success of the army of the Prussian King William I. He also led the preliminary negotiations for the surrender of the French in Sedan. In his secret war diary, he recounted his daily life with almost scientific precision. |
February 25, 2020 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ARTE |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 18, 2020 |
| Last aired | February 25, 2020 |
| Runtime | 52 minutes |
| Status | ended |