The Investigation

This documentary film reenacts the investigation into the Auschwitz concentration camp's atrocities, focusing on the trial of former SS members. It meticulously reconstructs the proceedings and testimony, aiming to bring the historical truth of the Holocaust to a wider audience. The film emphasizes the bureaucratic nature of the genocide and the difficulty in holding perpetrators accountable.

Peter Watkins' 'The Investigation' was critically acclaimed for its stark, unflinching depiction of historical events and its innovative use of documentary techniques. It was praised for its educational value and its powerful message against indifference and the normalization of evil. While impactful, its lengthy runtime and somber subject matter made it a challenging watch for general audiences.

• Praised for its historical accuracy and thoroughness in detailing the trial.

• Cited for its powerful, albeit grim, re-enactment of the prosecution of Nazi war criminals.

• Lauded as an important educational tool for understanding the Holocaust.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's profound impact and its critical importance in documenting the realities of the Holocaust. Many found it a deeply moving and necessary historical record, though its intense subject matter can be emotionally taxing.

Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 24th Berlin International Film Festival.

The film is based on Peter Weiss's 1965 play of the same name, which itself was based on the 1963-1965 Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials.