German Concentration Camps Factual Survey

A harrowing, unflinching documentary that bears witness to atrocity with a measured, somber tone, demanding deep attention and leaving a heavy emotional weight.

Directed by

Sidney Bernstein

Genres

Documentary, History, War

Starring

Jasper Britton, Jane Wells, David Cesarani

Tagline

A lost masterpiece of British documentary cinema from 1945

Overview

On the 29th September 1945, the incomplete rough cut of a brilliant documentary about concentration camps was viewed at the MOI in London. For five months, Sidney Bernstein had led a small team – which included Stewart McAllister, Richard Crossman and Alfred Hitchcock – to complete the film from hours of shocking footage. Unfortunately, this ambitious Allied project to create a feature-length visual report that would damn the Nazi regime and shame the German people into acceptance of Allied occupation had missed its moment. Even in its incomplete form (available since 1984) the film was immensely powerful, generating an awed hush among audiences. But now, complete to six reels, this faithfully restored and definitive version produced by IWM, is being compared with Alain Resnais’ Night and Fog (1955).

How it feels

Bleak, dark, earnest and tense. Measured and demanding.

About

Death, war, violence, justice

Content

Strong violence and gore. Mild language. No sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)