The World at War: 25 -- Reckoning, 1945 and After, Part 1

"The World at War: 25 -- Reckoning, 1945 and After, Part 1" is a documentary episode that explores the immediate aftermath of World War II in Europe, beginning with the cessation of hostilities in spring 1945. It portrays a continent in ruins, with cities reduced to rubble and millions displaced, yet captures the resilience of survivors amidst scarcity—no gas, water, or trams. The film examines Germany’s surrender, highlighting the relief of German troops yielding to American forces rather than the advancing Russians, and the end of Hitler’s "thousand-year Reich." It documents the historic meeting of American and Soviet forces at Torgau on the Elbe River in May 1945, marking the division of Europe between these non-European powers. The episode delves into the Potsdam Conference, where Truman, Churchill, and Stalin grappled with postwar control, revealing emerging tensions despite initial camaraderie. It also covers the atomic bombings of Japan, Japan’s surrender, and the U.S. occupation under MacArthur, contrasting this with Europe’s fragmented recovery. Through Laurence Olivier’s narration, archival footage, and personal accounts—like Germans bartering for survival and Allied leaders reflecting on victory—the film sets the stage for a new world order, shaped by both triumph and the seeds of Cold War division.