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First televised 31 August 1989 on Granada Television UK. This drama - the true story of events, based on official records and private letters and diaries - reveals the arguments and political manoeuvres of Europe's leaders as they struggle to work out what their rivals and allies are up to. Hitler is shown as a subtle tactician. But he made a misjudgement when he invaded Poland. He was convinced that Britain and France would not fight. History proved him wrong. Countdown to War shows just how close he came to being right.

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