Auschwitz: The Nazis and the 'Final Solution' (2005)

Such a frustrating disappointment

A different way of telling a story

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Not for the feint of heart . . . it's such a sad chapter in human history. But this 6 disc series definitely is thorough and comprehensive. Highly recommended for those who want to know all the ins and outs of Auschwitz. From its inception to its ultimate destruction . . . and how the Nazis created efficient murder factories. Not only does it interview survivors, but also some of the SS guards. There are first hand accounts of seemingly every aspect of this concentration camp. Well made and worth watching . . .There's a little recap at the end of each Disc where a moderator discusses some issues with various academic types -- and it didn't really add too much to the series as a whole. Seems like a good educational tool for high school students, etc.

This is a superbly produced documentary, based largely on information that has come to light since information from the eastern bloc countries and former Soviet Union became accessible.The documentary comprises mainly of interviews with surviving SS soldiers and surviving prisoners from the Auschwitz and similar camps. It uses CGI special effects, combined with film of the Auschwitz camps to achieve the most realistic reconstruction of how it looked, and how it operated. Dramatisations of various meetings and events have been authentically reconstructed with well cast actors.The stories from the survivors, particular in the episode about children, are the most moving I've ever seen in a documentary. The combination of original photographs, moving music and a first hand account from a survivor make these stories most poignant.It does not demonize the Nazi's, but gives in insight into the mentality that pervaded the regime. It shows them as lacking empathy. We see evidence that not only the Germans, but many French, many Hungarians and many Slovakians were only too willing to help deport their Jews; even the British Police, on the Nazi occupied Channel Islands, were willing to send Jews to the east. Finally, the documentary shows how the surviving Jews, or their return to their homeland, were treated badly by their fellow countrymen. This documentary shows that what happened in the holocaust happened because humans, not just Nazi's, are capable doing terrible things to humanity, given a certain set of circumstances.

This documentary is probably the most incise ever made on Auschwitz and the final solution. From it's humble inception as a detainment center to the camps vast expansion as history's largest killing machine, no detail has been omitted. Featured are archival footage of the camp along with reenactments based on historical documentation and eyewitness testimony from inmates and guards alike. Computer generated images show in frightening detail every aspect of the attempt to exterminate the Jewish people. At five hours in length, many will consider the film far too long. However if you are searching for a fact filled account of how this and the entire concentration camp system was operated, then this epic should be watched. This feature is narrated by actress Linda Hunt in a matter of fact monologue, but the images presented are what hold your attention. In the beginning, Auschwitz was constructed by Russian POW's, most of whom perished in the effort. It was built in an obscure corner of Poland along the rail line between Krakow and Vienna. It was surrounded by such solitude, that SS Reichsfuehrer Heinrich Himmler considered establishing a sub-headquarters there. As the war progressed the final solution loomed ahead and Auschwitz was chosen as a operations center for developing an efficient method of killing over 11,000,000 Jews within the Reichs borders. After several attempts it was decided that cyanide based poison gas was the most economical way of committing mass murder and soon trains were rolling into Auschwitz on a regular basis. Gas chambers were quickly constructed along with crematoria to handle the vast number of victims. By 1944 the war had turned decisively against Germany and the Red Army was soon advancing into Poland. The Nazis increased the rate of killing and even extended the rail lines so that the trains arrived right at the gas chambers. One aspect of the war exposed in detail, was how the Allies, though fully aware of the camp, refused to bomb even the rail lines leading to it. Former inmates recount how they witnessed bombers flying overhead, only to have their hopes dashed when nothing happened.We are also introduced to the rogues gallery who kept the camp running. SS Obersturmbannfuehrer Rudolf Hoess was the commandant, who kept the machinery of murder running virtually until the Russians were at the gates. Several guards are also interviewed, none of whom have any remorse for their actions or corruption. The movie concludes with the execution of Hoess and several of his underlings. By then the viewer is left both spellbound and speechless.

TV often fails to convey complex information: both in facts and emotionally; instead it mostly serves up the obvious with images to trick our eyes.This documentary sets a new standard: the research is impeccable, the interviews gripping, the production perfect in every respect and finally the horror, the terrible horror of what humans can do, is absolutely clear. A history book could not do a better job.One of the best and bravest aspects of the series is when the interviewers ask a person how they felt about a murder they committed: did they regret it, how do they feel about it now? Those interactions make it worth watching the series alone.