Battlefield (American TV series)
Battlefield is an American documentary series that debuted in 1994 on PBS that explores the most important battles fought primarily during the Second World War and the Vietnam War. The series employs a novel approach in which history is described by detailed accounts of major battles together with background and contextual information. The sixth and final series of the program was broadcast in 2002. Production. The series provides a comprehensive narrative of the war; in addition to traditional tactical details, subjects such as personalities and motivations of the leaders, technological developments, management of war economies, strategic  contributions of smaller battles, etc. are explored in terms of their contribution to particular turning points. The narrator (Tim Pigott-Smith) speaks throughout the series, seasons 1, 2, and 4, with no interviews of actual battle veterans. The show is entirely made up of archive footage and 3D graphics. Rare archive film, including rare colour footage specific to each battle is included. Battlefield presents a detailed analysis of the battle including leaders, commanders, soldiers and weapons. The show describes the events preceding the featured battle as well as details about its aftermath. The show also goes in depth to explain  the political and military situation leading up to each battle, details about relevant weapons and tactics, analysis of the battle's cause, and its context in the war as a whole-all while using informative maps and graphical depictions of relative strength of the respective forces and their movements during the battle in question. Episodes consist of two hour (100 minute) programs. Each episode of "Battlefield" is divided into segments. A typical sequence is as follows: The series was produced by Lamancha Productions in Edinburgh, Scotland. Broadcast history. The Battlefield series was originally aired on the PBS Television (USA). The  Military Channel showed a shortened version of the series. Major networks still showing documentaries from the 'Battlefield' series include Discovery Networks Europe (UK) and PBS (USA). Home video release. Series 1 release. The Battlefield series has been issued in videotape by PolyGram Video (UK - PAL format) and Time-Life (USA - NTSC format). DVD collections were reissued by PolyGram Video in the UK (PAL format) in 2005. In 2010 the original series was re-released on DVD in the US. Specifications: Series 2 release. Specifications: Series 3 release. Series Three was reissued by Time-Life as 12 segments, each 50 minutes  long, on NTSC VHS videotapes. The series was produced by LaMancha Productions and produced and directed by Dave Flitton. 3D Graphics by Greg Moodie and Gavin Bonnar. A PolyGram Visual Programming/Lamancha co-production. Narrated by Gavin MacFadyen. Series 4 release. Series Four has been published by Time-Life with 50-minute NTSC VHS videotape episodes. The program copyright is Cromwell Productions, Ltd. (2001). Reception. For Battlefield Vietnam: 'I have never seen a sustained narrative about the Vietnam War which captures the subtle nuances of it in such clear and simple language. Superb treatment.' - Dr. Robert Goldich, National Security Specialist , US Library of Congress 'Every department of politics or modern history should invest in this set, and use it.' - Journal of Strategic Studies'