Who wrote the theme song for world at war?

American composer, Carl Davis composed the dark opening music for the World at War which was made from 1973 to 1974. It was a 26-episode documentary series about the events of the Second World War.

The series reportedly cost almost 1 million GBP. It featured the narration of Laurence Olivier and Davis’ notable dark and menacing opening music. Davis died on August 3, 2023, after suffering from a brain hemorrhage. He was 86. His death was announced by his family in an official statement.

He was known for contributing to several television scores including The Naked Civil Servant, Shades of Greene, The Kiss of Death, Langrishe, Go Down, Prince Regent, Private Schulz, Oppenheimer (1980), The Day the Universe Change, and more.

Davis was also a BAFTA award-winning composer.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that conductor and composer Carl Davis CBE has died aged 86. Davis scored some of the most-loved British television dramas and won the Original Film Music BAFTA for The French Lieutenant’s Woman in 1982 as well as receiving a Special Award in 2003,” BAFTA Awards official page.