The War of the World
The 20th century’s many conflicts were in fact one continuous “War of the World,” contends author Niall Ferguson in this provocative three-part series. Its true cause, the Harvard professor maintains, was neither class nor ideology but race, and the ultimate outcome was not the triumph of the West but a resurgence of the East. Episode 1 traces its roots: economic instability, ethnic conflicts, and empires in crisis. Mondays, June 30–July 14, at 10 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Explorer: Gorilla Murders
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Last July six rare mountain gorillas were shot in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park, where Dian Fossey once had done her landmark studies. This documentary is a real-life murder mystery: It reveals that the apparently senseless slaughter was actually a coldblooded crime related to the high-level corruption in a region struggling with scarce resources, refugees, and a savage civil war. Tuesday, July 1, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Coming Home: When Parents Return From War
Nick News With Linda Ellerbee looks at the troubles of children whose parents have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kids talk about handling grown-up responsibilities while their parents are away, and watching them deal with physical wounds, depression, and post-traumatic stress syndrome upon return. Others recount the grief of losing a parent in combat. Sunday, July 6, at 9 p.m., Nickelodeon
Flashpoint
A tactical unit of the Toronto police, set up to handle high-risk emergencies, inspired this new police drama series. The debut episode, which portrays a tense hostage situation similar to a real 2004 Toronto incident, is intelligently written and well-acted. Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me), Hugh Dillon, and Amy Jo Johnson star. Friday, July 11, at 10 p.m., CBS
Earth: The Biography
Culled from more than 250 hours of footage, this visually impressive three-night series accompanies globetrotting Scottish geologist Iain Stewart as he explores the planet’s primal forces. Episode 1 follows him 100 feet down into Erta Ale, an active volcano in Ethiopia; subsequent installments examine Earth’s ice, atmosphere, oceans, and place within the solar system. In high-definition. Sunday–Monday, July 13–14, at 9 p.m. and Tuesday, July 15, at 10 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Other highlights
Ganja Queen
The true story of a young Australian woman apprehended with 10 pounds of marijuana in Indonesia, where the offense is punishable by death. Monday, June 30, at 9 p.m., HBO
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Natasha Bedingfield and Kenny Chesney are among the singers slated for this high-def special. Friday, July 4, at 9 p.m., NBC
All listings are Eastern time.
Show of the week
Generation Kill
This seven-week series, based on a book by Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright, recounts his dangerous travels with an elite Marine reconnaissance battalion that spearheaded the 2003 Iraq invasion. The ambitious drama’s depictions of war’s brutal realities brings to mind such unvarnished views of World War II as Norman Mailer’s The Naked and the Dead. Executive producers David Simon and Ed Burns (The Wire) saturate the show with grit, and don’t flinch from portraying their young characters’ pettiness, racism, sexism, homophobia, and scabrous profanity along with their courageous tenacity. Alexander Skarsgard, James Ransone, and Lee Tergesen (Oz) lead the large ensemble cast. Sunday, July 13, at 9 p.m., HBO
Movies on TV
Monday, June 30
Mother Night (1996)
Nick Nolte is excellent as an American believed to be a Nazi sympathizer, whose radio propaganda in fact hides coded messages to the Allies. From Kurt Vonnegut’s novel. 9 p.m., IFC
Thursday, July 3
Nightmare Alley (1947)
In this atmospheric film noir, Tyrone Power broadened his range to play a carnival con man who scams wealthy victims with a mind-reading act. 8 a.m., FMC
Friday, July 4
The Music Man (1962)
In the screen version of Meredith Willson’s rousing musical, Robert Preston reprised his Broadway role as a con artist hawking band paraphernalia to River City, Iowa. 8 p.m., TCM
Tuesday, July 8
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
The lovably dysfunctional cartoon clan makes its feature film debut as Homer triggers an environmental crisis in Springfield. 8 p.m., HBO
Thursday, July 10
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
The classic short film La Jetée (1962) inspired this hallucinatory drama about time travel and a postapocalyptic future. With Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. 11:30 p.m., Encore
Saturday, July 12
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Gena Rowlands won an Oscar nomination for her bravura performance as an L.A. housewife coming unraveled. John Cassavetes was also nominated for Best Director. 8 p.m., Sundance
Sunday, July 13
The Piano (1993)
Music lessons draw a mute mail-order bride into a torrid affair in Victorian-era New Zealand. Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel star in the acclaimed drama. 8 p.m., Flix
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