HOLLOCAUST VS WINDS OF WAR

"The Winds Of War" depicts events right up to the entry of the USA into WWII. We see the initial persecution of the Jews, but not the Holocaust. The sequel to "The Winds Of War," "War And Remembrance," deals with the Holocaust, and other events as well, but it is best known for its depiction of the Holocaust. I own both WOW and WAR on DVD and they are amongst my favorites; however, I've never seen "Holocaust," so I can't comment on it. However, if you are looking for something only on the Holocaust, maybe you should go for the series of that name, as "War and Remembrance" is 30 hours long, and as I said, while the depiction of the Holocaust is the best I've ever seen in a non-documentary, it is not the only storyline.

If anybody on this board has seen both "War and Remembrance" and "Holocaust" I'd be interested in your comparisons and comments.


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That's a tough question. Both were great but it's difficult to compare. Winds of War and War and Remembrance encompass all of World War II with equal time given to both, the battles and the holocaust. It's a WWII series and it really presents the impact on the entire world so you can feel just how huge this war really was. I've watched the entire series several times and I think it's beautifully done.

I thought Holocaust was sadder because it focused on this one family being torn apart and destroyed after you grew to love them as a unit. And it's truly heart wrenching to watch this devastation and cruelty happen. In fact, I felt completely exhausted after watching a couple of the episodes.

The bottom line: both are brilliant so I can't chose.

I would have to cast my vote for "Winds of War"/"War and Remembrance". IMHO the production values were a little higher than in "Holocaust", though it too is a moving work.

Following up on my previous post: I have now seen "Holocaust." (From Netflix.)

I liked it, it is good, especially considering it is made-for-television.

But "War And Remembrance" is far superior, IMO.

Ok, I know that they are not in a "competition" and I don't want to be seen as putting down "Holocaust," which is a fine effort.

But for my money, W & R has far higher production values, a better script, a bigger universe of interesting characters, and is much more graphic in portraying the horrors of the Holocaust. In fact it is the most chilling portrayal of the Holocaust I have ever seen.




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I'm sure by now, you have seen both, but this is such a great question. Which is better really depends on point of view.
Holocaust was made first, in the 70's. Few survivors would speak to the production team to assist the story, so it's to the creators credit that it turned out as good as it is.
It was, however Holocaust that stirred so many memories of survivors, that they started talking in droves. From this testimony, and the documentaries and books and such that came out afterward, came the desire to film "Winds of War/War and Remembrance. So, in effect the three television productions are all related in a way.
It should also be noted that War and Remembrance was the first (and as far as I know) ONLY dramatic production to have been allowed filming at the actual Auschwitz site... making the content that much more potent.
I disagree with the opinion on Jane Seymour's portrayal, though. While I do agree that McGraw was better for the part, Seymour does the best work of her career in her portrayal.
My advice to anyone with the same question... get all three. Watch Holocaust first, then the Winds of War, and then War and Remembrance for an unforgettable experience into the civillian's plight (particularly the Jews) during WWII.

The more complex the mind.. the greater the need for the simplicity of play"

It has been years since I saw them, but I think that Holocaust is the one you want, mostly because, to my mind, it was a more serious effort. Winds of War includes a very large romance element that seems to me now (and seemed to me then) as an effort to engage female viewers and was really not important to the story. Holocaust just - well, brutal. Add to that, Robert Mitchum was just too old for the role.

Holocaust will stick with you; Winds of war / War and Remembrance will not (in my opinion).