Untold History of the United States

2012 • Showtime
4.6
158 reviews
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (10)

1 World War Two
11/12/13
Season-only
Narrated by Oliver Stone, this new one-hour series features human events that at the time went under reported, but crucially shaped America's unique and complex history. The first chapter explores the birth of the American Empire by focusing on Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Through examination of key decisions during World War II, discover unsung heroes such as American Henry Wallace and explore the demonization of the Soviets. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
2 Roosevelt, Truman and Wallace
11/12/13
Season-only
Highlights from the historical upset of Harry Truman replacing Henry Wallace as Roosevelt's Vice President during his fourth term - this dramatic shift in leadership propelled the US towards empire building. Exploration of the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union and the beginnings of the Cold War. The relationships between Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill are an integral part of post-war Europe's division at the Yalta conference. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
3 The Bomb
11/12/13
Season-only
The strategies behind the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan are explored as well as the new mythology that emerged from the war. The bombing haunted the Soviets and mistrust towards the Allies grew quickly. The consequences of beginning a process that could end life on the planet are examined. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
4 The Cold War 1945-1950
11/12/13
Season-only
The equation changes—specific month-by-month causes of the Cold War. Highlights include Churchill's Iron Curtain speech, the civil war in Greece and the Red Scare that prompts the rise of Joseph McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee and the FBI. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
5 The 50s - Eisenhower, the Bomb & the Third World
11/12/13
Season-only
Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles replace Truman. Stalin dies but relations with the Soviet Union turn colder. The H-bomb and the doctrine of nuclear annihilation are explored, as are the Korean War and U.S. rearmament. McCarthyism grows and so does the ruthlessness of U.S. policy towards the Third World. Eisenhower emerges as a game changer. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
6 JFK: To The Brink
11/12/13
Season-only
JFK and the Bay of Pigs; on the brink of total war during Cuban Missile Crisis; early Vietnam; JFK's attempts at peace with Khrushchev; JFK assassinated. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
7 Johnson, Nixon & Vietnam: Reversal of Fortune
11/12/13
Season-only
Cataclysm in Vietnam as the war reaches a turning point - there's no going back. The betrayal by Richard Nixon. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
8 Reagan Gorbachev & Third World-Rise of the Right
11/12/13
Season-only
Carter's dreams of change give way to Ronald Reagan's secret wars in Afghanistan and Central America. Gorbachev emerges. Fresh opportunities for peace arise. The debate over Reagan's legacy. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
9 Bush & Clinton: Squandered Peace-New World Order
11/12/13
Season-only
Russia introduced to American Capitalism. U.S. goes to war in Middle East. New World Order shaped. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.
10 Bush & Obama: Age of Terror
11/12/13
Season-only
Homeland Security, in Iraq, Afghanistan, and a worldwide global Security State. The cannibalization of the U.S. economy continues. Obama and the destiny of the American Empire. Directed and narrated by Oliver Stone.

About this show

From Academy Award®-winning writer/director Oliver Stone, this ten-part documentary series looks back at human events that at the time went under reported, but that crucially shaped America's unique and complex history over the 20th century.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
158 reviews
Brad Clawsie
November 25, 2013
It is useful for Americans to have alternative views of history, even if biased. Stone actually doesn't veer off the mainstream that much, but periodically when he does, his views are weak and self-contradictory. For example, when Stone claims that the Atomic Bomb wasn't needed since Japan was intent on surrender in the summer of 1945...he then provides a detailed account of how repeated aerial bombardments didn't break the will of the Japanese people (what Stone suggests broke their will was actually the threat of Soviet invasion). So either the Japanese wanted to surrender or not. Stone wants it both ways when it suits his argument. Stone is also ridiculously sympathetic to Stalin. He is correct that the Soviets bore the brunt of the effort to destroy Nazi Germany, but Stalin's own bungling prolonged and worsened this struggle. In the end, Stone's work is a commendable effort but never rises above being a middlebrow dismissal of the mainstream that lacks real depth. All that said, I still believe Stone is a truly great American who is legitimately interested in a genuine history of this country.
14 people found this review helpful
John “Johnny” Ewen
November 13, 2013
Stone is very far left in his politics. He makes some very good points but when every Democrat is a "hero" in history while every Republican is evil I start to feel I am being lied to on some points... Overall it is well done but no different than an Micheal Moore film
Billy Mondragon
October 22, 2013
The whole story is after slavery so it wasn't skipped if you only know a part of our history and if we can't get past these events that scare our nation it might happen again