People: Germany
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‘Besatzungskinder’ are still searching their fathers
‘Besatzungskinder‘ where children in post-war Germany born from Allied soldiers who disappeared before their birth. An estimated 200.000 of these children were left behind. Many of them never stopped looking for their father. Last Saturday, dozens of them gathered in Berlin. With help of GI Trace they still want to find their fathers. Only children of Americans stand…
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Charlemagne not so great after all
The historical image of Charlemagne, of Charles the Great (747-814) is as positive as it gets for a medieval king. Charlemagne was one of the most striking personalities throughout the Middle Ages. He was a tough warrior, but especially a man of the church, a state-builder and cultural reformer. He won most battles he fought, so he…
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The Crusades
Ever wondered why just naming the crusades still sparks anger in Middle Eastern countries? After watching this documentary, you will understand. Terry Jones (yes, the Monty Python-guy) takes the journey medieval knights made, from Western Europe to Jerusalem. The battle against the infidels started in Worms and Cologne, where the jewish population became the first…
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The Hitler Family
Adolf Hitler tried to maintain the myth that ‘the Führer has no family’ during his life. Nonetheless, even at his heydays, rumors of his non-arian descent existed. And then there were his half-sister, and his ‘nephew from hell’ who lived in England and discredited Hitler as he was at the height of his power. This…
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Cologne in the Third Reich
Three small documentaries on the German city of Cologne during the Third Reich. Video footage and interviews with contemporary eye-witnesses tell the story of a proud catholic German city turned into a battlefield at the end of the war. Köln im “Dritten Reich (1): Der Weg in die NS-Dikatur Köln im “Dritten Reich (2): Alltag…
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Der Bunker – Hitlers Ende
This documentary produced by ZDF under the direction of journalist and historian Guido Knopp shows the last days in the nazi-bunker in Berlin. The focus is on the events from the 20th April 1945, Hitler’s last birthday , to the conquest of the bunker by the Red Army. During this timespan the marriage of Hitler and his longtime…
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Blutige Weihnachten: Die Schlacht von Ortona
In 1943 the Allies planned a massive attack on the small coastal town of Ortona in Central Italy. They are confident of a quick and easy victory. But the German troops were prepared. What follows is the bloodiest battle in Fascist Italy. This documentary explaines how the battle commences and the terrible consequences for the…