Our World War
As the commemorations for the First World War get underway
it is easy to become quite disillusioned with the plethora of documentaries and
events that dominate our screens and social media platforms. However, BBC3 has
developed a new way of bringing an old story into the modern age in a way that
will engage younger, more apathetic, audiences who cannot fully realise the
atrocities of that war.
Our World War is
innovative in using archival sources including first-hand accounts of life in
the trenches and a new style of capturing the action which encourages the
viewer to feel as if they, too, are a part of the battle. It is as if the
soldiers are part of a video game and we are watching the recorded result of a
gaming battle. This type of interface is more familiar and relevant to younger
generations who participate in online and video gaming regularly, something
which is used to great effect in each of the three episodes of this
mini-series.
As a person who is not all that interested in the military
aspects of WWI, I did find myself drawn into the battle sequences and
intriguing mix of personal stories and relationships with the computerized
display of troop movements and positions. It is a recommended watch for anyone
looking for a refreshing retelling of the Great War.
The link for both the episodes and other interactive sources
is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p022twsy
