"The Winds of War" (1983)TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

6 February 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

In the late 1930s, world politics begin to head in a dangerous direction. In Europe, Germany expands...

Plot Keywords:

England | British | Homefront | Luftwaffe | Mussolini

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Robert Mitchum

...

Victor 'Pug' Henry (unknown episodes)

Runtime:

USA:883 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Berchtesgaden, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Jadran Film

Trivia:

The bombing of Pearl Harbor was shot at a naval base in Port Hueneme, California, and the navy only allowed four days of filming.

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: As Pug and Pam go to see the bombing of London, the shadow of a boom mike is visible in the corner of the room. [Part 4, Scene 9, time index 1:09:22.

Quotes:

Wolf Stoller: There are certain conversations that have to be forgotten. And in Germany we have a phrase for such delicate matters. We say, "under four eyes."
Victor 'Pug' Henry: I believe I've heard that phrase.
Wolf Stoller: What transpires next is under four eyes. You and Armin had a conversation about this lend-lease bill. Did he make sense to you? You prefer not to say, eh? Of course. You are a diplomat.
Victor 'Pug' Henry: I'm a gunnery expert, misplaced in diplomacy, and hoping to get the hell out of it.
Wolf Stoller: A man of honor wants to serve on the field.
[offers him a cigar]
Wolf Stoller: Would you?
Victor 'Pug' Henry: No, thank you.
Wolf Stoller: That you sympathize with England is only natural. I do. I love England. After all, I spent two years at Oxford. But we know that in your Army and Navy, there is serious opposition to this lend-lease giveaway. Which will strip you of armaments, by the way. No, in war plans, you will be in a key position to foster this wise and patriotic opposition. Frankly, Germany needs friends in influential positions, to offset the Morgenthaus and the Lehmans.
Victor 'Pug' Henry: Herr Stoller...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Robert Mitchum/Simply Red (#13.4)" (1987)

Gunter Meisner is terrific

As I review the comments of others, I see little reference to Gunter Meisner's work as Adolf Hitler in this series. Well, I see where someone thought it overdone. My own reaction was to wonder if this actor won any awards for his performance. Anyone know? Every time he appeared, I commented to my wife how impressed I was at how striking and forceful and commanding he was. Particularly in his scene with the General about the invasion of France. Overall, the Winds of War is a very compelling piece of work. I don't know how I managed to miss it when it first showed as a miniseries, but I'm sort of happy since I can now appreciate it on DVD without commercials. I bought it for my wife for Christmas. She kept mentioning it as the best TV movie she ever saw, and darned if she isn't right.