“The Nazis: A Warning from History” stands as one of the BBC’s most significant historical documentaries, offering a chilling examination of how the Nazi regime rose to power in Germany. The series, with its unflinching look at how a cultured, educated society could descend into barbarism, serves as both a historical document and a cautionary tale for future generations. It is essential viewing for any fan of British factual programming.
Key Facts
- Originally aired on BBC Two in 1997
- Produced by Laurence Rees, renowned historian, and documentary filmmaker
- Six episodes, each running approximately 50 minutes
- Featured unprecedented interviews with former Nazi party members and witnesses
- Won multiple awards including a BAFTA and an International Emmy
- Narrated by Samuel West
History
The genesis of “The Nazis: A Warning from History” came at a crucial moment in the mid-1990s. With the fall of the Soviet Union, previously inaccessible archives and witnesses became available to Western historians. The BBC, recognizing this unique opportunity, commissioned veteran documentary maker Laurence Rees to create what would become one of the most comprehensive examinations of the Nazi regime ever produced for television.
The series took a groundbreaking approach by focusing not just on the major figures of the Third Reich, but on ordinary Germans who supported, enabled, or witnessed the regime’s rise and fall. Through meticulous research and countless interviews, Rees and his team uncovered stories that had never before been told on television.
Each episode was carefully structured to examine different aspects of the Nazi state. The series began with Hitler’s rise to power, examining how a failed artist and former corporal could capture the imagination of millions. Subsequent episodes detailed the mechanics of the Nazi state, the implementation of racist policies, the road to war, and finally, the Holocaust.
What set the series apart was its use of contemporary interviews with former Nazi party members, many speaking for the first time. These weren’t the high-ranking officials tried at Nuremberg, but ordinary citizens who had participated in or witnessed the regime’s crimes. Their testimony provided unprecedented insight into how normal people could be drawn into supporting and implementing genocidal policies.
The documentary also made extensive use of color footage from the era, much of it never before seen by the public. This footage, combined with the eyewitness accounts, created an immediacy that brought home the reality of the period in ways previous documentaries had not achieved.
Narrated by Samuel West, whose calming, matter-of-fact narration will haunt you, long after you’ve finished watching this series.
Cultural Impact
The series had an immediate and lasting impact on both sides of the Atlantic. In Britain, it drew audiences of over 4 million viewers and sparked extensive public discussion about the nature of evil and the fragility of democratic institutions. The series’ unflinching examination of how ordinary people could be complicit in extraordinary evil resonated deeply with viewers.
In the United States, where it aired on PBS, the series received critical acclaim and became a standard educational resource in universities and high schools. Its influence extended beyond the English-speaking world, with broadcasts in numerous countries and translations into multiple languages.
The documentary’s impact on historical understanding was significant. It helped shift the scholarly discussion away from seeing the Nazi regime as simply the product of a few evil leaders, towards understanding it as a complex social phenomenon that required the active participation or passive acceptance of millions of ordinary people.
The series’ title, “A Warning from History,” proved prescient. Its lessons about how democratic institutions can be undermined, how propaganda can shape public opinion, and how ordinary people can be led to commit or condone terrible acts, continue to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Places to Visit
For those interested in exploring the historical sites featured in the documentary:
- The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg
- The Topography of Terror in Berlin, located on the former Gestapo headquarters
- The House of the Wannsee Conference, where the “Final Solution” was planned
- The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin
- The Bergen-Belsen Memorial, featuring extensive documentation referenced in the series
Where to Watch
The series is available through several platforms:
- DVD: Available through BBC Studios and various retailers
- Streaming: Available on BBC iPlayer (UK only)
- Academic Access: Many universities maintain copies in their media libraries
- YouTube: Select clips are available on the BBC’s official channel
Further Research
For those interested in deeper study, several books complement the series:
- “The Nazis: A Warning from History” by Laurence Rees (1997) – The companion book to the series
- “Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution'” by Laurence Rees (2005)
- “Their Reich: German Life Under Hitler” by Michael Burleigh (2000)
- “The Coming of the Third Reich” by Richard J. Evans (2003)
- “Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany” by Robert Gellately (2001)
The BBC Written Archives Centre in Reading, UK, also maintains production files and research materials from the making of the series, available to researchers by appointment.
