All Rise...

Judge David Johnson was a snitch on the British home front.

The Charge

As if things weren't bad enough…

The Case

…what with the bombs and the war-tearing and all, the British homefront was apparently a den of criminals and thieves and scumbags as well. Crimes on the British Front tells a lesser-known story of World War II history and at first glance, I have to confess, the topic didn't grab me right away. Crimes? On the British home front? Huh.

Turns out, there's some rich history to be mined in this time period. While cities lay in rubble, some prime law-breaking opportunities presented themselves and the shady element sprung into action, working their looting, theft, racketeering and many other assorted unsavory skills.

The documentary is divided into seven parts and directed by Peter Williams. What makes it all work are the stories and how they're told. During wartime, society broke down in a big way and the documentary shows how people were often in survival mode 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (This is my favorite quote from the disc case: "The German Luftwaffe blasted the buildings of Britain's cities into rubble, creating an ideal hiding place for homicide victims." Sweet.)

Telling these stories are history experts and, most importantly, people who actually experienced the craziness first-hand. These interviews with the folks who were there? Compelling. Very compelling. They bring the reality of those times to life and really personalize the goings-on. Supplementing the interviews is authentic video footage.

So, recommended for history buffs, especially World War II fans looking for some untold stories.

The DVDs: full frame, 2.0 stereo, no extras.

The Verdict

Not Guilty.

Give us your feedback!

Did we give WWII Crimes on the British Home Front a fair trial? yes / no

What's "fair"? Whether positive or negative, our reviews should be unbiased, informative, and critique the material on its own merits.

Share This Review

Follow DVD Verdict

Other Reviews You Might Enjoy

• Heinrich Himmler: Anatomy Of A Mass Murderer
• Bergman Island: Criterion Collection
• Stagedoor (2006)
• Aquaria