Well, I just finished watching another WWII documentary which I think is worthy of it's own separate thread. It's called "Hitler in Color." I'm sure many of you have already seen this one, but since many of you may not have, I'll tell you what I think.
"Hitler in Color" is an 80 minute documentary presenting all-color, period footage of Hitler and key Third Reich events in chronological order. In doing this, it also surprisingly manages to present a comprehensive account of the the Third Reich and the war in general. Yes, some of the color footage is what you've already seen (such as the Berghoff footage), but much of it may be new to you, as it was to me. Even the Berghoff footage is presented in an extended version.
"Hitler in Color" is unique not just in the fact that it presents color footage. It also interjects dramatically-read, original diary entries and letters from key figures, as well as from the average German citizen. The story is also recounted with very interesting details narrated by Brian Cox. The combination of contemporary witness material and color footage presents a unique perspective of Nazi Germany (both objective and subjective).
Finally, and maybe most importantly, this documentary allows you to see an entire comprehensive narrative in color rather than the typical black and white. Sure, black and white is classic and fine, but color is the way it was really meant to be seen--especially the Allgemeine uniforms, and the pagentry and parades of the period. This color, of course, allows us to see, as closely as possible, what it all really looked like. No other documentary I've so far seen devotes itself entirely and successfully to presenting that perspective.
Certainly, it's no "World at War," but it is certainly worth a look, and maybe even a place in your WWII video library.
Chris
"Hitler in Color" is an 80 minute documentary presenting all-color, period footage of Hitler and key Third Reich events in chronological order. In doing this, it also surprisingly manages to present a comprehensive account of the the Third Reich and the war in general. Yes, some of the color footage is what you've already seen (such as the Berghoff footage), but much of it may be new to you, as it was to me. Even the Berghoff footage is presented in an extended version.
"Hitler in Color" is unique not just in the fact that it presents color footage. It also interjects dramatically-read, original diary entries and letters from key figures, as well as from the average German citizen. The story is also recounted with very interesting details narrated by Brian Cox. The combination of contemporary witness material and color footage presents a unique perspective of Nazi Germany (both objective and subjective).
Finally, and maybe most importantly, this documentary allows you to see an entire comprehensive narrative in color rather than the typical black and white. Sure, black and white is classic and fine, but color is the way it was really meant to be seen--especially the Allgemeine uniforms, and the pagentry and parades of the period. This color, of course, allows us to see, as closely as possible, what it all really looked like. No other documentary I've so far seen devotes itself entirely and successfully to presenting that perspective.
Certainly, it's no "World at War," but it is certainly worth a look, and maybe even a place in your WWII video library.
Chris
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