10-Part “WWII in HD” series to air on History Channel
The History Channel is preparing to launch a new 10-part series called “WWII in HD”.
August 21, 2009
The History Channel is preparing to launch a new 10-part series called “WWII in HD”. It will air in the 4th Quarter of 2009.
Calling it “one of the network’s most ambitious projects to date”, HISTORY says the series promises to be “the most visually astonishing World War II drama/documentary ever shown on television – a view through the eyes of 12 Americans who fought in or contributed to the war effort.”
Emmy Award winner Gary Sinise (CSI:NY) will narrate.
In addition, individual war stories of these 12 Americans will be voiced by the following actors:
Jack Werner: JUSTIN BARTHA
Rockie Blunt: ROB CORDDRY
Richard Tregaskis: TIM DEKAY
Archie Sweeney: MARK HEFTI
Jimmie Kanaya: JAMES KYSON LEE
Charles Scheffel: RON LIVINGSTON
Shelby F. Westbrook: LL COOL J
Robert Sherrod: ROB LOWE
Bert Stiles: JOSH LUCAS
Jack Yusen: JASON RITTER
June Wandrey: AMY SMART
Nolen Marbrey: STEVE ZAHN
HISTORY says it has preserved and restored thousands of hours of color archival footage for the documentary, unearthed from archives and private collections across the globe and never seen by most Americans. “The archival footage has been restored to pristine condition through advanced HD technology,” a press release from the company notes. “Some of this “lost” footage has not been seen since the 1940s. Artfully shot contemporary HD footage will be seamlessly blended in to reveal what has become of the places where men fought and died.
“Diaries, journals, interviews and Dolby “soundscape” also are incorporated.”
The series follows a handful of people as their personal journeys cross-connect with one another throughout the war. Their stories, culled from diaries, journals, and new interviews, will help recreate the war’s events “not as detached historical facts, but rather as profound experiences on the level of a great Hollywood epic. The veterans themselves also appear, recounting their experiences first hand,” says HISTORY.
As part of HISTORY’s multi-media partnership with the Library of Congress and its collection of nearly 140 million items, History also will incorporate original Library of Congress audio recordings from World War II into the series.
“This is HISTORY at its core,” said Nancy Dubuc, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the History Channel. “We are committed to preserving our heritage and the remarkable digital technology of “WWII in HD” will go a long way in ensuring that we never forget the sacrifice made by the Greatest Generation.”
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