Educational Media Reviews Online

For 1,400 days during the period from 1941 to 1945, a particularly ferocious war was fought on the Russian-German front in which an average of 17,800 people died daily. With losses totaling 25 million, one in ten Russians perished, whole divisions of Italians, Rumanians and Hungarians disappeared, and one in four Poles died.

This grim chapter of World War II is explained in stark detail in The Russian-German War, a two-DVD program distributed by Janson Media. Narrated by actor Douglas Rain, the six-episode series takes a realistic look at the results when two great powers are pitted against one another.

This thoroughly organized program recounts the uneasy alliance that existed between Hitler and Stalin after their division of Poland, Germany’s struggles during the brutal winter of 1941, a debilitating defeat that heralded the end of Nazi Germany, and the race to beat the American, British and French forces to Berlin.

Well-produced and accurately depicted, this series educates viewers about the Russian-German War’s leading personalities, weapons and tactics. As the story unfolds, a clear picture emerges of the bravery, political strategy and intrigue that define this unforgettable historical occurrence.

By far, the greatest strength of The Russian-German War is its archival film footage. Seeing this resource for the first time is an excellent lesson for those in understanding how primary sources accurately capture the facts that made history from the perspective of those who experienced them. Scenes of Berlin and the Brandenburg Gate at the end of the war are especially haunting.

Undoubtedly, students taking an exhaustive look at World War II will find this documentary series of tremendous value; it offers less for those taking a general approach to 20th century history. Therefore, this documentary would make a fine addition to the shelves of academic libraries and history departments, particularly those emphasizing World War II military history.