This program explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective. It focuses on the stories of citizens from four geographically distributed American towns--Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alabama; Sacramento, California; and the tiny farming town of Luverne, Minnesota. Individuals from each community take the viewer through their own personal and quite often harrowing journeys into war, painting vivid portraits of how the war dramatically altered their lives and those of their neighbors, as well as the country they helped to save for generations to come.

Special features: Widescreen version -- Making The War featurette -- Commentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick -- Exclusive deleted scenes -- Additional interviews -- Biographies -- Photo gallery -- Educational resources -- Language: English 5.1 surround ; English 2.0 stereo -- Subtitles: English. CONTENTS: disc 1. Episode one. A necessary war, December 1941-1942 -- Making The War featurette -- Commentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick -- Photo gallery -- Biographies -- Educational resources. disc 2. Episode two. When things get tough, January 1943-December 1943 -- Episode three. A deadly calling, November 1943-June 1944. disc 3. Episode four. Pride of our nation, June 1944-August 1944 -- Commentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. disc 4. Episode 5. Fubar, September 1944-December 1944. disc 5. Episode six. The ghost front, December 1944-March 1945. disc 6. Episode seven. A world without war, March 1945-December 1945 -- Exclusive deleted scenes -- Additional interviews -- Educational resources.