Combining rare footage with CGI illustrations and dramatic reconstructions, this documentary attempts to unfold the story and horrific ideologies behind the microcosmic Nazi State of Auschwitz. Read more
| Starring | Dominic Sutherland, Martina Balazova, Detlef Siebert |
|---|---|
| Genres | Documentary, Television |
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Combining rare footage with CGI illustrations and dramatic reconstructions, this documentary attempts to unfold the story and horrific ideologies behind the microcosmic Nazi State of Auschwitz.
| Starring | Dominic Sutherland, Martina Balazova, Detlef Siebert |
|---|---|
| Studio | BBC WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING |
| Run time | DVD: 4 hrs 45 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Documentary, Television |
| Language | English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 14 Feb 2005 Production year: 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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This is an excellent and thorough account of the atrocities that the Nazis subjected on its enemies. It concentrates on the Jews who suffered at Auschwitz as the title suggests but there is an overarching account of persecutions there and elsewhere. The suffering of the members of the Polish resistance, gypsies, members of the Red Army is cited and there are moving accounts by survivors of the Nazi killing machine. It also covers the culpability of national governments throughout Europe and beyond who assisted in the deportations to the death camps and less well known acts of heroism and defiance such as those in Denmark. This really should be shown in every school as part of the curriculum.
I don't think there is much that needs to be said as to the content of this series, although there were certainly details with which I was unfamiliar (for example, the technical experimentation driven by the camp leadership in order to improve the efficiency of mass murder). The documentary is well made and avoids the trap of (justifiable) emotion hindering the presentation of an all-too-necessary story. If you are familiar with the history, the film at least serves as a concise, shocking refresher course. In terms of the film's production, I wasn't too convinced by some of the reconstructions and I also thought the music was overbearing at times. However, these really are the pettiest of criticisms.