Victory at Sea
1952 · 30m · TMDB 6.8/10 (9 votes)
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About Victory at Sea
Victory at Sea is a documentary television series about naval warfare during World War II that was originally broadcast by NBC in the USA in 1952–1953.
It was condensed into a film in 1954.
Excerpts from the music soundtrack, by Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett, were re-recorded and sold as record albums.
The original TV broadcasts comprised 26 half-hour segments—Sunday afternoons at 3pm in most markets—starting October 26, 1952 and ending May 3, 1953.
The series, which won an Emmy award in 1954 as "best public affairs program", played an important part in establishing historic "compilation" documentaries as a viable television genre.
Over 13,000 hours of footage gathered from US, British, German and Japanese navies during World War II were perused in the making of these compelling episodes.
- Status
- Ended
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 from 9 votes
- Seasons
- 1
- Episodes
- 26
Seasons and episodes
The latest season with aired episodes is shown first. Specials are kept separate.
Latest aired season
Season 1
DESIGN FOR WAR: Battle of the Atlantic, 1939-1941
World War II comes, and Germany succeeds in invading Poland and France. But is held back by England thanks to the vital convoys, Canada and the American naval forces' initial involvement, and Lend-Lease. Still, the German submarine war increases to its crescendo thanks to new French bases.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
THE PACIFIC BOILS OVER: Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
Using Japanese footage, we see the planning, execution, and ultimately the celebration of the Asian country's attack on Pearl Harbor. There's also an explanation provided for the attack and some peaceful moments depicted among the U.S. sailors before the fateful events unfold. And out of this wreckage, the bloodied U.S. Navy fleet rises up to fight another day.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
SEALING THE BREACH: Anti-submarine warfare, 1941-1943
With war now declared on the U.S. front, naval forces throughout the states have banded together to bring convoys of supplies across the Atlantic Ocean to our Allies in England. German U-Boats come through and manage to destroy some of ships along the way. Still, Americans are resilient...
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
MIDWAY IS EAST: Japanese victories & the Midway Battle
Japan is ascendant as it successfully invades Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. But the Americans draw first blood, first on the Coral Sea, and ultimately on Midway as they manage to bomb four of Japan's aircraft carriers--the same ones that participated in Pearl Harbor--making the imperial fleet retreat and giving the U.S. an incredible early victory in the pacific...
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
MEDITERRANEAN MOSAIC: Gibraltar, Allied & enemy fleets, Malta
World War II comes to the Mediterranean Sea as Italian, French and British naval forces flex their muscle. British forces have the enviable position of guarding the sea as they escort convoys from Gibraltar to Malta. Still, they have their relaxing moments, especially the daily mealtimes: Morning cocoa, breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper. Meanwhile, the German Luftwaffe never fails to besiege the island of Malta, but they remain steadfastly determined to keep fighting and tough it out. Their heroism is rewarded when King George VI pays a later visit to the island, reviving their spirits.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
GUADALCANAL
After training in Australia and New Zealand, the U.S. Marines land on Guadalcanal. The U.S. Navy suffers defeat after defeat at the hands of the Japanese Navy around the island--in an area called Ironbottom Sound. Essential information is conveyed about how some deaths are caused not just by battle but also by malaria that comes from the long stays in the Guadalcanal rain forests. The number of people dying on both sides is especially emphasized here, a remarkable example of endurance. Meanwhile, to the tune of Richard Rodgers' most famous march from the series, America's men and materiel are mobilized against the ultimate struggle that is World War II.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
RINGS AROUND RABAUL: Struggle for the Solomon Islands
The Japanese Navy is ascendant in its conquests, of which its linchpin is the main base at Rabaul in the New Britain Islands. This Victory at Sea episode refers to the US strategy of surrounding and strangling the Japanese base in the fall of 1943 through set piece invasions of its surrounding islands (Bouganville, Rendova). Praise should be given to the Seabees, which made the airfields operational in a short time, and observation planes and radar, which helped the U.S. Navy stop cold Japanese reinforcements and counterattacks.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
MARE NOSTRUM: Mediterranean Command, 1940-1942
Mussolini calls the Mediterranean "mare nostrum"--our sea. And seeks to exploit it to the full. British and Greek military forces, however, defeat the Italians, forcing the Germans to bring in the Afrika Korps. But it is in the heroic sea battles to take over the Mediterranean that is the crux. At issue is who controls the Suez Canal in Egypt. Eventually, the Allies triumph, and proceeded to destroy the Germans in the desert.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
SEA AND SAND: Invasion of North Africa, 1942-1943
The Soviet Union demand a "second front" as their country struggles under the might of the Nazis. The wish is granted as Roosevelt and Churchill in Casablanca agree on the first invasion at North Africa against General Rommel's forces via Operation Torch, while the Allies also neutralize many of the axis' Mediterranean supply bases. Eventually, the Germans fight back, but to no avail.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS: War in the south Atlantic
The South Atlantic becomes a front in the overall Battle of the Atlantic, from the pursuit of the Graf Spee to the battle between HMS Devonshire and the German raider Atlantis. The Allies, meanwhile, nurture their ties to South America and gained a vital base in Ascension Island. Despite deep rooted Nazi sympathy, the South American nations rallied to the Allies' cause, securing vital bases, forces, and resources.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
THE MAGNETIC NORTH: War from Murmansk to Alaska
This episode of Victory at Sea explores the battles between the Allies and Germans over the Arctic Circle, and the convoys battling past Nazi-occupied Norway to Russia. Meanwhile, Japan unsuccessfully invades Alaska, and the U.S. Navy again is called to guard this vital area amidst the toughest climate and vast vistas.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
THE CONQUEST OF MICRONESIA: Carrier warfare--Gilberts and Marshalls
The ubiquitous aircraft carrier of the U.S. Navy goes into the attack in the Central Pacific at the Gilberts and Marshalls, destroying Japanese installations and taking the fight to the enemy. But for all of these, there is a price to pay for victory in men and materiel.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
MELANESIAN NIGHTMARE: New Guinea campaign
The Allies are victorious in New Guinea as they repel the Japanese. They thus bring the fight through a series of island-hopping offensives using a new ship--the slow but vital LST. The price paid is high in both sides, but as Japanese casualties pile up in their never-ending losing battle against the Allied onslaught, their homeland only hears news of their victory being broadcast on the radio. We see also just how Japan's people are suffering in defeat through a very touching scene of a massive funeral at the conclusion of this segment, providing a balance of how universal grief truly is.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
ROMAN RENAISSANCE: Sicily and the Italian campaign
While Hitler's Germany starts its decline, Mussolini's Italy falls. Eventually, as destruction is heaped upon Naples and Rome, Italy accepts defeat and surrenders, allowing the allied forces to liberate their people. But the conflict grinds to a slow ruinous campaign (Salerno, Cassino, Anzio) until final victory is achieved by the liberation of Rome, where ecstatic Romans celebrate freedom waving American flags, and the Pope addressing the audience...
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
D-DAY: Normandy
The Allied invasion of Normandy--from preparation to execution--is detailed to very compelling effect courtesy of vintage footage from both sides. One of the most important turning points for victory from the Allied side. Perhaps one of the most exciting episodes of the entire Victory at Sea series--the pivotal moment of World War II in Europe.
TMDB 5.5/10 from 2 votes
KILLERS AND THE KILL: Victory in the Atlantic, 1943-1945
The U-Boats are ascendant, and their triumphs trumpeted over Germany. But the Allies hit back with new bases in lands bordering the Atlantic Ocean, new antisubmarine techniques, and the new escort, or "jeep", carrier. Thus, the neutralization and destruction of the German U-Boat forces is guaranteed.
TMDB 6.0/10 from 2 votes
THE TURKEY SHOOT: Conquest of the Marianas
Guam, a U.S. territory, gets invaded by Japan a few days after Pearl Harbor and remains under occupation for two and a half years before the Americans arrive to take Saipan and Guam back, and finished off as well the Japanese fleet in a classic "turkey shoot". The Guamanians are thankful as expressed on their smiling faces, making it one of the most inspiring segments of Victory at Sea. Meanwhile, the Americans are preparing the bases in the islands as well as in other areas of the Marianas for the ultimate bomber offensive against Japan.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
TWO IF BY SEA: Peleliu and Angaur
Before the Philippines, the United States first attacks Peleliu and Anguar. Through communiques, we follow the bloody battle in its ferocity.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
BATTLE FOR LEYTE GULF: Sea battle for Leyte Gulf
The Japanese fleet is fast disappearing, and the Imperial Navy conducts its last major operation in the Philippines. It ends in debacle: The risen battleships of Pearl Harbor avenge the attack in Surigao Strait, the Center Force is defeated in Sibuyan Sea, the jeep carriers and destroyers heroically fend off a stronger Japanese force near Samar, and their remaining aircraft carriers were sunk. This Victory at Sea segment marked the counting of the days until the Japanese would accept defeat and surrender to the allies.
TMDB 6.0/10 from 2 votes
RETURN OF THE ALLIES: Liberation of the Philippines
Just after the U.S. entered World War II, the Japanese conquered the Commonwealth of the Philippines, an American protectorate, bringing despair to its people. But they still hope, and in January of 1945, these were answered as much of the Philippines were liberated and its people cheered the Americans. Their liberation became bloody as they fought their way in Manila, but still they cheered. A touching tribute to the will of the Philippine people to survive as they waited for liberation--and their eventual independence a year later.
TMDB 5.0/10 from 2 votes
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