THE COLA CONQUEST tells the story of Coca-Cola - the 'sublimated essence' of all that America stands for - and the century-long competition with its rival, Pepsi-Cola. Shot in the U.S., Canada, Russia, England, France, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, the Sahara Desert and China, THE COLA CONQUEST takes us from Coke's invention by a morphine-addicted Civil War vet to the brink of the 21st century. Challenging, fast-paced, irreverent, serious and funny by turns, it explores the delicious paradox at the heart of Coke: How did a soft drink, more than 99% sweetened water, come to wield such enormous power and assume such significance in so many people's lives? What does it tell us about who we are and what we are becoming?PART I: THE BIG SELL. Through a century of image-making with master artists - including the creation of our modern version of Santa - Coke sheds its patent medicine image to become first the drink for young moderns, and finally the most recognized brand name on earth.

PART II: COLA WAR AND PEACE. During World War II, Coca-Cola becomes an essential morale booster for the troops and a worldwide symbol of the American way of life. As the Cold War turns frigid, former Pepsi lawyer, Richard Nixon, gives Pepsi a decade-plus jump on Coke behind the Iron Curtain. But when the Berlin Wall falls, Coca-Cola is there passing out "the taste of freedom".

PART III: COCA-COLONIZATION. Tea spills in China, wine in France and blook in Guatemala, as Coca-Cola teaches the world to acquire a taste for "The Real Thing". But as Coke - and Pepsi - are busy abroad conquering new markets, upstart colas are nipping at their heels back home. From the jungles of Papua New Guinea to the "Coca-Cola Olympics" in Atlanta, we see the globalization of American pop culture, and corporate influence on the souls of nations.