In-Depth Historical Documentary Explores Lives in War-Torn London and Berlin

The appetite for historical programming continues to thrive, as demonstrated by the BBC Two series “A House Through Time: Two Cities at War.” This series adopts a uniquely engaging approach to exploring the impacts of war by extending its focus from a single house to two entire residential buildings, one in London and the other in Berlin. Both premises serve as prisms through which the effects of the Second World War are vividly depicted.

The program commences during the interwar period, with the spotlight on Montagu Mansions, a distinguished Edwardian apartment block located near London’s Baker Street station. Among its residents was Major John Murray Smith, a First World War veteran who struggled with the consequences of his wartime experiences, both physically and mentally. The major lived there with his family until his death in 1938 in Cairo, a fate that his son George narrowly escaped, finding himself fighting against Germany years later.

The series also introduces viewers to Cecil Bernstein, a Jewish businessman whose efforts contributed to the booming cinema culture in Britain during the period. His subsequent entrepreneurial ventures, as well as those of a widow who established a millinery business and an Italian maitre d’ employed at the Savoy, offer a panoramic view of British society between the wars.

In contrast, the Berlin apartment on Pfalzburger Strasse unfolds a more harrowing narrative. Here, the stories revolve around Jewish residents unaware of the impending threat posed by their neighbors, who began aligning with the Nazi Party. The program highlights individuals like a schoolteacher promoting Nazi ideals through insidious educational materials that glorified the party’s propaganda.

“A House Through Time” distinguishes itself through its extensive use of documentary evidence, offering insights more profound than those found in typical genealogical explorations. The life of Berlin’s Bonifazius Folli, a former chef to the German governor of Togo and later a language teacher in Berlin, is meticulously documented through magazine profiles and archival recordings, bringing these personal histories to life.

The success of the series is due in part to the diligent research team behind it. Their efforts in sourcing comprehensive records and testimonies allow each subject’s personal journey to be compellingly portrayed. This meticulously crafted narrative captures the complexities of the era and the lives irreversibly shaped by its events. All episodes are currently available on BBC iPlayer, offering viewers a chance to delve into this insightful historical journey.