Amazon's Blu-ray Deal of the Week affects A&E Entertainment's The World at War. Through June 30th, Amazon is offering the package for $56.99 (a 62% discount from its MSRP of $149.95).
Narrated by Lawrence Olivier (Brideshead Revisited), this twenty-six part series takes an in-depth look at the global impact of World War II, beginning with the rise of Nazism in Germany and moving through Cold War tensions in the 1950s.
The World at War set also contains a wide assortment of bonus supplements, including bonus episodes, retrospective documentaries, and archival text information.
This deal expires at 12 AM PST/3 AM EST next Sunday, July 1st.
I have been a passionate devotee of TWAW from the very words spoken by Laurence Olivier in the very first episode of its original broadcast, but I have resisted buying this hitherto pricey box set--not because of the cost, but because of the reframing of the series' 1.33 OAR to 1.78 for BRD. A more heinous crime could not be committed if Lawrence of Arabia was released pan-and-scan (well...maybe I exaggerate). But after rereading this site's review, and talking to a couple of friends who are also TWAW fanatics and own the set, I've changed my thinking because of the evident care that was taken during restoration to ensure optimum framing throughout. The restoration, I've heard, is nothing short of miraculous. So...order placed! Can't wait!
Thanks for pointing out who Lawrence Olivier is in the description. I thought this was a film site and people might have heard of him but better to be safe than sorry...
Wuthering heights, marathon man, Rebecca, boys from Brazil and Henry V and they pick brideshead revisted to associate him with? Anyone have this boxset , is it worth a blind buy?
It's been lower in price, I bought in within the last year for @$44.00. It's an excellent series though, and if the subject is of iterest to you, I doubt you'd reget purchasing it.
I'm glad that you're giving the WAW BD a chance, even with the reservations you have regarding the aspect ratio. I found the BD release to be a huge step up in picture and sound quality from the DVD. For the most part, the reframing doesn't take away from the historical footage and photographs. It's really only during the interviews that it occasionally looks a bit awkward. Even though they should have left the series at 1.33:1, the care they put into the reframing is certainly commendable.
@Don Corleone
If you really like learning more about WWII, it is the best documentary series ever produced on the subject. Whether it is worth a blind buy is up to you.
Ain't it Laurence Olivier? I'd say Sir Laurence Olivier, but we'd all have to stand....
I can't remember the film, but Helen Mirren was mentioned on the back and their short film bio (usually just a star's name and a film or two) mentioned Caligula. Surprised they didn't mention The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu too....
I don't think Sir Larry's work on this title schleps to Caligula level.
I'd say Sir Laurence Olivier, but we'd all have to stand.... 
