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Documentary•War & Politics

The Best Episodes of The First World War

Every episode of The First World War ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The First World War!

Binge this in 10h 0m•Peaking at 8.4/10

This ten-part docuseries tells the comprehensive story of the First World War, featuring excerpts written by Winston Churchill, Karen Blixen, Georges Clémenceau, David Lloyd George, Siegfried Sassoon and Rudolf Hess.

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Channel 4
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The First World War Season 1 Episode 1 - To Arms (1914)
    8.4/10(110 votes)

    #1 - To Arms (1914)

    S1:E1

    The First World War shaped the twentieth century. It sparked the Russian Revolution, and it launched America as a world power. The fault-line from its failed peace settlement led to a second terrible world war barely twenty years later.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The First World War Season 1 Episode 2 - Under the Eagle (1914-1915)
    8.4/10(90 votes)

    #2 - Under the Eagle (1914-1915)

    S1:E2

    The first months of the war on the Western Front were mobile, fast and dangerous; casualty rates were higher than with later trench warfare. The Germans were halted by the Allies at the Battle of the Mame, fell back to high ground and dug in. The Allies followed suit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. The First World War Season 1 Episode 10 - War Without End (1918- )
    8.4/10(64 votes)

    #3 - War Without End (1918- )

    S1:E10

    The dramatic Allied victory at Amiens led to victory in just 100 days - and the signing of a bitterly-resented peace, while other nations stumbled towards their own ceasefire agreements.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The First World War Season 1 Episode 6 - Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)
    8.3/10(73 votes)

    #4 - Breaking the Deadlock (1915-1917)

    S1:E6

    Attrition, "lions led by donkeys", the slaughter only ceasing for a brief truce one Christmas - old, mistaken views of the war on the Western Front. In fact there was constant tactical evolutions; hundreds of generals died in action; some men adopted a system of "Live and Let Live", with countless informal local truces.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. The First World War Season 1 Episode 7 - Blockade (1916-1917)
    8.3/10(67 votes)

    #5 - Blockade (1916-1917)

    S1:E7

    The war at sea was every bit as bitter as the war on land. The battle at Jutland proved inconclusive but the U-Boat menace threatened Britain as never before. Meanwhile, America entered the war.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The First World War Season 1 Episode 9 - Germany's Last Gamble (1918)
    8.3/10(65 votes)

    #6 - Germany's Last Gamble (1918)

    S1:E9

    Over one million German troops were committed to Kaiserschlacht - the last great offensive of the war - while conflict still raged on many other fronts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The First World War

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  7. The First World War Season 1 Episode 5 - Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)
    8.2/10(76 votes)

    #7 - Shackled to a Corpse (1914-1916)

    S1:E5

    As the Germans and Austrians clashed with The Russians on the bitter Eastern Front, Italy became embroiled in a terrible slaughter.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The First World War Season 1 Episode 8 - Revolution (1917)
    8.2/10(69 votes)

    #8 - Revolution (1917)

    S1:E8

    The effect of the Great War shattered nations, inspired mass mutinies by desperate troops, caused great upheaval on the home front and changed the world forever.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The First World War Season 1 Episode 3 - Global War (1914-1916)
    8.1/10(82 votes)

    #9 - Global War (1914-1916)

    S1:E3

    War for Europe meant war for the world. Germany gambled that Britain might risk everything to protect her Empire - even victory on the Western Front. So, to divert British resources, maverick German commanders led the British a dance; across the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The First World War Season 1 Episode 4 - Jihad (1914-1916)
    8.1/10(78 votes)

    #10 - Jihad (1914-1916)

    S1:E4

    The Ottoman Empire, Germany's ally, summoned all Muslims to Jihad - holy war - to overthrow Allied power in the Middle East. They proved a formidable foe, as the Allies found to their cost at Gallipoli and in the Middle East.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"To Arms (1914)" is the best rated episode of "The First World War". It scored 8.4/10 based on 110 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/20/2003. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Under the Eagle (1914-1915)".