Third Reich: The Rise & Fall

This review is concerned with the second part, the fall of the Third Reich. I've seen many documentaries about the Third Reich, but none of them is even in the same league with this one, none of them conveys the tragedy, the folly and the pure inhumanity that overtook Germany and the world during that period in history. The presentation is intended to be dramatic and it has been brilliantly constructed to do that without distorting the events. The narration, the camera clips, the background score and all the other things that make up the presentation are seamlessly integrated into a chilling vision of the madness that people can inflict on each other. Some of the other reviewers have faulted the story for not including some events they thought important, but its message is larger than the Third Reich; it defines what and how so many people can lose their humanity while some can give their lives to save it.

I found this a very interesting and informative documentary on the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich, WWII/Europe, and the defeat of Germany, from the perspective of the Germans. Through letters and remembrances from German soldiers and civilians alike, it gives Americans used to documentaries from "our" view a nice reverse angle look at those events. I'm still not sure whether more Germans were for or against Hitler at the time, but we hear both points of view here.

Having been a History Channel fan for 15 years, "Third Reich: The Rise & Fall" still managed to come up with a lot of material and film I had not seen before, some of which is still banned in Germany. (Nothing like seeing a starving man standing in rubble carve meat off of a bomb-killed, bloated horse to give you a sense of the moment.)

As networks, even the History Channel, are wont to do with these documentaries, silent film footage has added sound effects (bomb blasts, rifles shots, laughter, etc.). I find that highly insulting to the intelligence, and suppose they only do it for the kids with no familiarity with silent film. {Hey, if they weren't interested in the true history of the time, they wouldn't be watching anyway.} Also, all the cuts from one topic to the next had these little one to two second clips of "end of film reel" scenes where the screen goes to white and you see the film sprocket holes go by. I found that became annoying rather quickly. And although those are small gripes, they caused me to drop my rating to a 9.

Overall, a fine documentary on the Third Reich, which itself was proof positive of the principle of Cause and Effect. The Cause being Hitler bent on world domination, and the Effect being a Germany so thoroughly pummeled that it would take decades to fully recover.

Most historical documentaries consist of film clips and recreations telling a larger story. This is, in many ways, the 'official' story--one that is interesting but detached in many ways. However, with "Third Reich" The Rise and Fall", something extraordinary has happened--the filmmakers have NOT used government films precedence but home movies showing the average person! These color home movies do a wonderful job of showing German life and how the people saw the things leading to World War Two as well as the war itself. It also does something important--it explains the thinking of the Germans at the time and how they justified the unjustifiable. As a result, you see the progression from a reasonable people to the monsters they eventually became. Because of this, it shows a much more interesting look at the people and times--the times as seen by the common man and showing clips that are surprising--such as clips of Oktoberfest just before the invasion of Czechoslovakia, children dressing up like soldiers and sending letters to their beloved leader and other children watching trainloads of Jews heading to death camps...as they waved! In addition, there are a few films made by journalists in Germany and Poland which show you what you won't see in other films--not just the horrors but the German adoration for their Fuhrer.

You really have to commend the folks who made this--it must have taken an incredible amount of effort to collect all these film and make the extraordinarily interesting film. Well worth seeing, compelling and a WWII documentary that is so different from all the rest. However, because you will see atrocities in the later portions of the documentary that were proudly filmed by the Nazi soldiers, it is NOT recommended for viewing by children. So, be forewarned.

Excellent program that is worth your time. If you are a WWII buff you will appreciate this very interesting look at the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. I was intrigued by the writings of those who were disgusted at what was taking place in their homeland. People saw the coming storm of death and intolerance and did whatever they could to get out. I will be researching where they obtained these writings and trying to obtain them. The depiction of the mass group think that was going on at this time was astonishing, people were buying into Hitlers vision and ignored the atrocities that were being committed all around them. One package in particular stuck with me.."all around me people were celebrating, why? It was easier to celebrate..easier to howl with the wolves" Catch this on the History Channel whenever you get a chance..worth every second.

A beautifully done documentary. Lost in the endless shuffle of World War II documentaries unfortunately. Great footage and great editing great writing and great quotations and great narrations.

I honestly think it is one of the best World War II documentaries.

2010. Apparently it is two parts, although I was only able to see the second one.

And it has a view of the war that is just a little bit different than the normal to say the least. It shows the horror of it for all sides.

A very good and honest effort to do some thing first rate.

Tony Call stands out as a very good American narrator. Although I'm sure some people would think it's over done, but I think he is fantastic.