The Great Martian World War
The Great Martian World War is a documentary from the History Channel. I really felt like I should establish that first to give the whole thing a bit of gravitas. As far as I can tell it is basically a way to explain the First World War to people who are shallow or young. Which is kind of a noble thing right? The idea is this (from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3199240/):
“Documentary-drama recounting the Martian War of 1913 – 1917. Europe was on tenterhooks in the 2nd decade of the 20th century, everyone was expecting a Great War between the major European powers. But then, in 1913, something crashed into the forests of SW Germany. Troops were sent to investigate but were wiped out. Martian fighting machines began making their way across Western Europe and the countries of Europe combined forces to resist them. With aspects taken from “The War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells and from WWI itself, this dramatisation presents a documentary style look at events as they unfolded and the effect they had of our world today. Lots of references to real events including the mass attacks and defeats as men were thrown against machines on the Western front, the Christmas truce and the Angel of Mons, America’s isolationism and late entry into the conflict, the worldwide “Spanish” flu epidemic that killed more people than the war, and many other things.”
More info about the Great Martian World War can be found here: http://www.history.co.uk/shows/the-great-martian-war. Here is the trailer:
There have been a lot of foul, terrifying wars but WW1 is in the public eye right now with the 100 year anniversary of the outbreak. It is synonymous with innocence lost and a new type of conflict. WW1 was awful. The documentary was designed as a kind of desperate attempt to make kids (of whom a staggering percentage couldn’t tell you the century, let alone the participants) be slightly interested. The main battles are included so education and stuff happens. Remembrance is a good thing.
So, with that all established, I give you a fan-made video. If you feel sad and a bit shocked about the devastation and reality of the horror faced by the people involved, then that is normal. It was a horrendous waste.