Documentaries Will Mark 50th Anniversary Of V-E Day

Sat., May 6, 1995

Los Angeles Times

May 8, 1945, is the day noted officially as V-E Day.

Reels and reels of film were taken that day to commemorate the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II.

Documentaries made in the 50 years since the liberation of Europe often are used as reminders of a chapter of global conflict from which much can still be learned.

Here are some of the documentaries and films airing this week and throughout May:

Arts & Entertainment: “The Last Days of World War II” (Sunday; airs simultaneously on the History Channel, part of the A&E Television Networks): Roger Mudd hosts a three-hour documentary depicting the events leading up to V-E Day, the events of the day itself and its aftermath, including the Nuremberg war-crime trials.

The documentary uses archival footage and stills, plus interviews from experts and survivors.

The Discovery Channel: “Great Fighting Machines of World War II” focuses on “Allied Bombers” (Monday); “Allied Armor” (Tuesday) and “Allied Fighters” (Wednesday).

The Disney Channel: “George Stevens: D-day to Berlin” (Monday and Tuesday): During World War II, film director George Stevens (“A Place in the Sun”) organized a film unit to cover the Allies in Europe. Lt. Col. Stevens was in charge of the coverage of D-day, the advance through Normandy and the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. Stevens also shot what is believed to be the only color footage of these historic events - with 16mm Kodachrome home movie film.

“World War II: A Personal Journey” (Part I, Monday; Part II, Tuesday; Part III, May 16 and Part IV, May 23): Glenn Ford hosts a four-part documentary chronicling the history of the war through remembrances of some of its survivors. President Ford, Sen. Daniel Inouye, cartoonist Bill Mauldin and reporter Mike Wallace discuss their recollections of the conflict.

“Ike: The Commander” (Tuesday; Wednesday; May 21): An overview of the years that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower led the Allies to victory in Europe. The series features archival footage and interviews with former CIA director William Colby and ambassador to France Pamela Churchill Harriman.

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