Nadia Roa ’18
We all know the history behind the Holocaust, a time where humans questioned: how can one do such a thing? To see a documentary that has original photographs and video that were taken during that time is memorizing and absolutely breathtaking.
The documentary shows the viewer actual photographs and videos that were taken during this time. Through those many photographs one is able to see the pain and suffering of these individuals. In the beginning of the film, there is an introduction that says the picture and video shown are the original footage.
Throughout the video, the speaker wants the viewers to know that what they are seeing is not made up, but actual events. It as if they want the viewers to experience what the victims felt like. A quote by General Eisenhower was mentioned in the video, “Nothing is covered up. We have nothing to conceal. The barbarous treatment these people received in the German camps is almost unbelievable. I want you to see for yourselves and be the spokesman for the United States.” To know that another human being can can kill thousands of people is horrendous.
The photos and videos are just as important as the information given out. For instance, many people think that it was mostly Jews being placed in the camps, but it was not just them. Some of the victims were Poles, Czechs, Russians, Belgium, Frenchmen, German Jews, and German politicians prisoners. Through the almost wipe out of almost a whole race others were deeply affected too.
The Harlan Concentration Camp, one of many camps, was reported to have 10,000 polish before April of 1945 and only 200 survived the whole holocaust. Many people died after the American army came into the camp, after the liberation. Many of the victims were too far along and could not be helped.
There are many people who dislike historical films especially documentaries but this one is one that is a must see. You think you know everything about the concentration camps, but you don’t until you see this documentary.
- Director: George Stevens
- Rating: 8/10
- Time: 58 minutes
- Documentary is on Netflix
