Sir Peter Jackson's about to become the talk of every school in Britain, turning monochrome film footage into colour in his latest documentary They Shall Not Grow Old.

He's become a hot topic among historians - and probably even lip readers - for the work he's done to the film footage, shot in World War I that he's turned into the documentary.

He's slowed down the footage to normal speed, making it non juddery, and added colour and commentary from veterans who tell the stories of decades ago.

"I was really intrigued if we throw all this computer fire power at this old film, where can we go with it?" Mr Jackson told ITV.

"I was blown away by how far - the results took me hugely by surprise."

The footage is held in Britain's Imperial War Museum. Existing uniforms from the age help to match the colour of the jackets, and lip readers were hired to interpret what the soldiers are saying to each other.

Mr Jackson says he tried to make the documentary about the human experience of the war.

"They didn't see it in black and white - it's got to be colour, there's no choice in the matter."

The film will be screen in the UK next week, before being sent out to every secondary school in the country.

Newshub.