The Prize - The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power

Season 1

The globe-spanning story of the oil industry from the first strikes of the 19th century through the Gulf War. The industry's colorful characters and oil's key role in 20th century history are brought to life by participants and historians.
Where to Watch Season 1
8 Episodes
  • Our Plan
    E1
    Episode 1Our PlanThe discovery of petroleum gives rise to a new global industry. John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil grows into a monopoly. Muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell pulls back the curtain and reveals inconvenient truths about the robber baron.
  • Empires of Oil
    E2
    Episode 2Empires of OilOil is struck in Sumatra. Henri Deterding of Royal Dutch Petroleum and Marcus Samuel of Shell join forces and compete against Standard Oil. Oil is struck in Texas. Winston Churchill recognizes the strategic value of oil on the eve of World War I.
  • The Black Giant
    E3
    Episode 3The Black GiantStandard Oil's Walter 'The Boss' Teagle squares off against Calouste 'Mr. Five Percent' Gulbenkian, gatekeeper to Mideast oil. C.M. 'Dad' Joiner and Doc Lloyd strike oil in east Texas, sparking a boom that brings government regulation to the industry.
  • War and Oil
    E4
    Episode 4War and OilThe untold story of World War II unfolds: how oil dictated strategy to Hitler; how lack of oil slowed Japan's war machine; how ultimately oil determined victory or defeat. Features rare footage on the critical impact of oil on decisive military events.
  • Crude Diplomacy
    E5
    Episode 5Crude DiplomacyMideast oil is declared the greatest prize in history, but a prize not easily won. Participants and historians discuss the wooing of Saudi Arabia's Ibn Saud, the creation of Aramco, and the postwar reality that petroleum is political.
  • Power to the Producers
    E6
    Episode 6Power to the ProducersThe story of oil in the 1950s and '60s. Italy's Enrico Mattei challenges the 'Seven Sisters.' Oil diplomacy in an increasingly volatile Middle East. The creation of OPEC in 1960. Cheap oil fuels America's car culture and suburban sprawl.
  • The Tinderbox
    E7
    Episode 7The TinderboxThe tumultuous years 1971 through 1991 saw shifting power in the oil industry as OPEC commandeered the driver's seat, sparking a global search for new oil sources. 'Oil as a weapon' results in the gas shortages of 1973 and '79.
  • The New Order of Oil
    E8
    Episode 8The New Order of OilIs oil a 'sunset industry'? A galvanized environmentalist movement and government regulation pose challenges to the oil industry. The oil industry presses ahead trusting in its customers' continuing love affair with their automobiles.
 
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   

Take Plex everywhere

Watch free anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.
See the full list of supported devices