Our 10yo son is entering into some of the WW1 material for school. Looking for any good documentaries that would be a good supplement - we homeschool so I'd really like to take the time and look back and also set the table for what eventually happened in WW2. I think WW1 is kind of largely skipped over.

He has sat with me on some other history documentaries in the past and seems to have an interest and usually can sit through a lot of the material. He's been begging me to watch the entire 4 hour Gettysburg movie after only catching bits and pieces.

I think there are some good YouTube's that do a decent job on this, to a 10 year old level. I'm not trying to be condescending but the bigger picture historically is probably outside of the scope of his assignment/interest.

An example;



Crash Course WW1 is another option (longer). Thx for working to get him educated/interested in this history.

Not documentaries, but a good set of movies:

All quiet on the western front just came out and it is really good
1917
Warhorse
Beneath hill 60
Sgt York
The lost battalion

There's a lot more pretty good movies

Watch Gettysburg with him

Thanks for all of the replies! Going to check these out in the coming days. Something to break up the Christmas shows in the coming weeks while I am off work.

I've had They Shall Not Grow Old on my personal list for a while. I thought I saw that the rating was "R" - is that true?

10andBOUNCE said:

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I've had They Shall Not Grow Old on my personal list for a while. I thought I saw that the rating was "R" - is that true?

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Apparently so.

Well, it's a documentary that's only real footage of a terrible war.

And one more thing. This YouTube Channel Stories of the Great War.

The Great War that the BBC did back in the 60's is the best...period.

I thinks it 26 episodes.

The Blue Max- 1966

Rabid Cougar said:

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The Blue Max- 1966

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The Great Waldo Pepper is better even if it is only tangentially a WWI movie.

First off, I live Gettysburg. I could watch it every day.
Second, try watching the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles for WWI interest. That's what got me hooked around 10 or 11.

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Second, try watching the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles for WWI interest

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I'd forgotten about this, but yeah, this is a good suggestion as it brings in (what should be) a familiar character.

Not a documentary, but this book is on sale in the Kindle format right now on Amazon. It has good reviews as well:

Amazon.com: The First World War: A Complete History eBook : Gilbert, Martin: Kindle Store

It is a good one but might be a bit much for a 10-year-old. Try the American Heritage History of World War I by SLA Marshall. But even that might be too much unless he is really into history.

Also, and if he's still into WWI come March, check out the Museum of the American GI in College Station. They'll have all time periods but mainly focused on the 2 World Wars. I'm part of a living History/reenactment group who does WWI Black Watch (Scottish Highlanders, kilts and all). Lots of hands on with weapons and equipment, very knowledgeable folks, etc….they used to have a really good trench system buts it's collapsing so no longer able to tour that, but still lots of neat stuff for WWI. Usually American, British, French, German, Italian WWI folks there. I believe the dates are March 23-24. That Friday is a school tour day as well, but it's sully local BCS schools not sure if y'all could jump on that. Hit me up at username@gmail if you have any questions.

10andBOUNCE said:

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Thanks for all of the replies! Going to check these out in the coming days. Something to break up the Christmas shows in the coming weeks while I am off work.

I've had They Shall Not Grow Old on my personal list for a while. I thought I saw that the rating was "R" - is that true?

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I've seen this movie 3 or 4 times. It's incredible, but heartbreaking.

This quote from the movie gets me. So sad.

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A shell had hit this man,
it knocked off his left arm,
knocked off his left leg,
his left eye was hanging
on his cheek
and he's calling out for Nanny.
His bleeding eye was
hanging on, pulsing.
So I shot him.
I had to, I had to shoot him.
He'd have died in any case
and it put him out of his misery.
HE SOBS: It hurt me.

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Movies:

THE TRENCH

All Quiet on the Western Front (netflix)