Introduction

The Nazis: A Warning from History is a 1997 BBC documentary film series that examines Adolf Hitler and the Nazis’ rise to power, their zenith, their decline and fall, and the consequences of their reign.

Part of the BBC History of World War II collection (1989-2005).

Outline

An examination of how a cultured people could have allowed Adolf Hitler’s rise to power.

It featured archive footage and interviews with eyewitnesses.

Production

The series was written and produced by Laurence Rees. The historical and script consultant was Prof. Sir Ian Kershaw, who also appears briefly in the “Chaos and Consent” episode. The series was narrated by actor Samuel West. The music used over the opening credits is “Denn alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras”, the second movement of Brahms’ A German Requiem.

Trivia

• The Nazis: A Warning from History ranked 93rd in a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000 based on votes by industry professionals.
• Opening theme: “Denn alles Fleisch es ist wie Gras”, the second movement of A German Requiem.

The Nazis: A Warning from History Series

• Episode 01: Helped into Power.
• Episode 02: Chaos and Consent.
• Episode 03: The Wrong War.
• Episode 04: The Wild East.
• Episode 05: The Road to Treblinka.
• Episode 06: Fighting to the End.

Production & Filming Details

• Narrator(s):
  • Samuel West.
• Director(s):
  • Laurence Rees … (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Tilman Remme … (1 episode, 1997).
• Producer(s):
  • Saulis Berzinis … assistant producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Sallyann Kleibel … associate producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Susan McConachy … associate producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Laurence Rees … producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Tilman Remme … associate producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Detlef Siebert … assistant producer / associate producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Corina Sturmer … assistant producer (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Wanda Koscia … assistant producer (6 episodes, 1997).
• Writer(s):
  • Laurence Rees … (written by) (6 episodes, 1997).
• Music:
  • Johannes Brahms (theme music composer).
• Cinematography:
  • Martin Patmore … (5 episodes, 1997).
• Editor(s):
  • James Hay … (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Alan Lygo … (6 episodes, 1997).
  • Mark Summers … (6 episodes, 1997).
• Production:
  • A+E Networks.
  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
• Distributor(s):
  • BBC Worldwide (2004) (UK) (DVD).
  • Divisa Home Video (2005) (Spain) (DVD).
  • History Channel (all media).
• Release Date: 10 September 1997 to 15 October 1997.
• Rating: PG.
• Running Time: 4 hours 52 minutes (total running time), approximately 50 minutes per episode.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English, German, polish, and Lithuanian.

Video Clip(s)