| World War II: When Lions Roared | |
|---|---|
 UK DVD cover art | |
| Genre | Drama History War |
| Screenplay by | David Rintels |
| Directed by | Joseph Sargent |
| Starring | Michael Caine John Lithgow Bob Hoskins |
| Music by | John Morris |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Ethel Winant |
| Producers | Bruce M. Kerner David W. Rintels Victoria Riskin |
| Production location | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Cinematography | John A. Alonzo |
| Editor | John A. Martinelli |
| Running time | 194 minutes |
| Production companies | Gideon Productions The Kushner-Locke Company World International Network |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | April 19 (1994-04-19) – April 20, 1994 (1994-04-20) |
World War II: When Lions Roared (also known asThen There Were Giants) is a 1994 Americanwar televisionminiseries, directed byJoseph Sargent, and starringMichael Caine,John Lithgow andBob Hoskins as the three major Allied leaders,Joseph Stalin,Franklin D. Roosevelt andWinston Churchill respectively.[1] It was notable as the firstvideo production to be produced inhigh-definition video for broadcast in the United States, using theSony HDVS line of analog high-definition equipment, although it was broadcast by theNBCtelevision network in standardNTSC resolution.[2]
The film portraysFranklin D. Roosevelt,Winston Churchill, andJoseph Stalin as they maneuver their countries through several of the major events ofWorld War II - such events includethe Blitz,Operation Barbarossa, thebombing of Pearl Harbor, theNorth African Campaign, theAllied invasion of Italy, theTehran Conference, and theYalta Conference. TheBig Three discussOperation Overlord in Tehran, and the formation of theUnited Nations and the future ofPoland at Yalta. The film concludes with the death of Roosevelt and theend of the war in Europe.
In particular, the focus is on the relationship between the leaders themselves and the large strategic concerns at play, with little scrutiny given to the decisions taking place at a lower level[3][4] - an example of this is how, despite his personal disdain for communism, Churchill was willing to go to great lengths to aid theSoviet Union in their fight againstNazi Germany.
It was nominated for 6Emmy Awards, including Best Actor forMichael Caine, but only won for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special.
Critical response was highly favorable. TheLos Angeles Times stated that "If you're seeking affirmation that U.S. television still has an epic drama or two up its sleeve, and even an artistic pulse, tune in the NBC two-parter, 'World War II: When Lions Roared,' tonight and Wednesday night. Written and produced by David W. Rintels, it's stunningly successful both as vibrant entertainment and as a personalized, peephole-widening account of history from a serious and creative dramatist."[5]
Variety Magazine said "Use of John Lithgow, Michael Caine and Bob Hoskins as Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill might qualify as 'stunt' casting, particularly as Caine and Hoskins are virtually unrecognizable under makeup. Still, they turn in fine perfs, notably Hoskins, who (maybe because of extensive use of Churchill's writings as source) winds up with most screen time. He seems to have the most fun of the three, throwing himself into a larger-than-life character whose every utterance sounds like a carefully planned oratory."[6]
Certain UK home versions used an edited version of the film running at 115 minutes, under the alternate title ofThen There Were Giants.[7][8][better source needed] The complete film was released on a two-disc DVD set on February 13, 2007.[9]
