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1994 American TV series or program
World War II: When Lions Roared
(also known as
Then There Were Giants
) is a 1994 American
war
television
miniseries
, directed by
Joseph Sargent
, and starring
Michael Caine
,
John Lithgow
and
Bob Hoskins
as the three major Allied leaders,
Joseph Stalin
,
Franklin D. Roosevelt
and
Winston Churchill
respectively.
[1]
It was notable as the first
video production
to be produced in
high-definition video
for broadcast in the United States, using the
Sony HDVS
line of analog high-definition equipment, although it was broadcast by the
NBC
television network
in standard
NTSC
resolution.
[2]
Plot
[
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]
The film portrays
Franklin D. Roosevelt
,
Winston Churchill
, and
Joseph Stalin
as they maneuver their countries through several of the major events of
World War II
- such events include
the Blitz
,
Operation Barbarossa
, the
bombing of Pearl Harbor
, the
North African Campaign
, the
Allied invasion of Italy
, the
Tehran Conference
, and the
Yalta Conference
. The
Big Three
discuss
Operation Overlord
in Tehran, and the formation of the
United Nations
and the future of
Poland
at Yalta. The film concludes with the death of Roosevelt and the
end of the war in Europe
.
In particular, the focus is on the relationship between the leaders themselves and the large strategic concerns at play, with little scrutiny given to the decisions taking place at a lower level
[3]
[4]
- an example of this is how, despite his personal disdain for communism, Churchill was willing to go to great lengths to aid the
Soviet Union
in their fight against
Nazi Germany
.
Cast
[
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]
Awards
[
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]
It was nominated for 6
Emmy
Awards, including Best Actor for
Michael Caine
, but only won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special.
Home media
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]
Certain UK home versions used an edited version of the film running at 115 minutes, under the alternate title of
Then There Were Giants
.
[5]
[6]
[
better source needed
]
The complete film was released on a two-disc DVD set on February 13, 2007.
[7]
References
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]
External links
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]