Invasion
TV Show · Documentary · History

Some were bloody, others absurd and doomed. The British Isles has been invaded continually over thousands of years. In this fascinating documentary series, intrepid historian Sam Willis investigates the history of Britain’s invasions. From Barbary pirates and brutal border raids to the air attacks of the 20th century, these invasions have shaped modern Britain and made the country we see today.

2017 · 48m
Starring Sam Willis
Director David Coward

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Romans, Vikings and Celts
    As an island nation, Britain has suffered the threat of invasion throughout its history. In this illuminating documentary, historian Sam Willis looks at the early attempts to invade, including the brutality of Neolithic warfare and the struggles that the Roman legions faced. Along the way, Sam fells a tree with a flint axe, gets to grips with a Viking boat and rides in an Iron Age chariot.
    43m
  • EPISODE 2
    Pirates, Kings, and Imposters
    Britain continued to be invaded during the Middle Ages and Medieval period. As historian Sam Willis reveals in this engrossing documentary, Barbary pirates tried to attack the nation and French king Louis the Lion was invited to invade by plotting nobles. While perhaps one of the most audacious invasion attempts was by the Dutch imposter Perkin Warbeck, who claimed he was a famous prince.
    44m
  • EPISODE 3
    Forts, Nazis, and Balloons
    Attempts to invade Britain continued into the modern era, including some audacious plans. In this remarkable documentary, historian Sam Willis reveals an ingenious French endeavor to invade Britain by balloon and a subterranean fortress built for troops in the 19th century when invasion paranoia was at fever pitch. How have all these invasion efforts shaped the British psyche?
    43m

Trailers

  • Invasion
    2m

Related

Cast & Crew

  • S‌W
    Sam Willis
    Host
  • D‌C
    David Coward
    Director

About

Invasion

Documentary

Some were bloody, others absurd and doomed. The British Isles has been invaded continually over thousands of years. In this fascinating documentary series, intrepid historian Sam Willis investigates the history of Britain’s invasions. From Barbary pirates and brutal border raids to the air attacks of the 20th century, these invasions have shaped modern Britain and made the country we see today.

Information

Studio
BBC Studios
Released
2017
Rated
TV-PG
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2017 BBC

Languages

Original Audio
English (United Kingdom)
Audio

English (United Kingdom) (AAC)

Subtitles

English (United Kingdom) (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

  • Armenia
  • Österreich
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
  • Deutschland
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italia
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg (English)
  • Malta
  • Moldova, Republic Of
  • Nederland
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal (Português)
  • Россия
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
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  • Sverige
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  • Türkiye (English)
  • Ukraine
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Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
  • México
  • Nicaragua (Español)
  • Panamá
  • Paraguay (Español)
  • Perú
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

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  • Canada (English)
  • Canada (Français)
  • United States
  • Estados Unidos (Español México)