The Rape of Europa
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Movie Reviews of The Rape of Europa
Movie Review: One of the most important documentaries of our time
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one film that everyone should see whether they're interested in art or not. It deals with issues that are much deeper than simply the disappearance of significant works of art. It provides interesting insight into the midset and mentality of the Third Reich, shedding light on an aspect of their actions not commonly addressed. That aspect is the significant role of art collecting in the hierarchy and advancement within the Nazi party. One realizes that the mass pillaging of museums and galleries was more than an act of greed, but actually played into a much larger plan and vision that Hitler desperately held on to.
Historically it is fascinating and enlightening, but emotionally it is one of the most moving and touching films I have seen. The combination of footage, personal stories, and historical fact touches and stirs the deepest feelings of humanity and really gets to the core of what it is to be human. While I always understod the devastation Europe suffered at the hands of Hitler, for the first time I FELT the devastation. By far the most moving film I have ever seen.
Everyone must see this film. It is absolutely necessary for really understanding and grasping the consequences of what happened during WWII.
Movie Review: Riveting documentary on Nazis' and the theft of Europe's art treasures
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend recommended this documentary and I was truly fascinated by the details presented as to how the Nazis systematically stole art treasures from parts of occupied Europe and decimated those they deemed unworthy. Hitler's role is significant here - it was interesting to find out that he was not accepted into the prestigious Viennese art institute and the question as to whether this led to his intense hatred of Jews[ many of the members of the selection committee were Jewish].
Hitler's art tastes were rooted in Social Realism and Germanic art and we also learn that he was, predictably, repulsed by works by Jewish artists, modernists such as Picasso and also Slavic art [as the Slavs were deemed sub-human, and in fact were targeted for extinction after the Jews].
A lot of ground is covered here in this documentary - we witness the evacuation of the Louvre's art treasures [how the Mona Lisa was saved, the fragile Winged Victory moved down a flight of steps etc] and also how ordinary people went to extraordinary lengths to help protect and safeguard these precious works of art.
All in all, this is an excellent historical documentary that will appeal to those with an interest in history and art.
Movie Review: It is a gem like the pieces of art it chronicles
Summary: 5 Stars
The Rape of Europa is an excellent film for those exploring the exploitation of European art by the Germans in WWII. I had traveled to some of the locations in Florence and was surprised to find out that much of the artwork, including Ghiberti's bronze doors on the Florence Cathedral, had been shipped out during the war.
Particularly compelling is the story of struggle by Maria Altmann, a beautiful and elegant 90-year-old, whose aunt was Adele Bloch. The Bloch family commissioned Klimt to paint the portrait, yet it, along with several other Klimt paintings, was stolen from her family home by the Nazis in 1938. The painting was hanging in the Austrian National Gallery for years, as the Austrians consider it their "Mona Lisa." Through sheer will and determination, and a bit of luck, Altmann finally obtained ownership of her aunt's portrait and the other pieces.
If you are an art and history lover, this film is for you, taking you from the Hermitage in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) to all over Italy. It is a gem like the pieces of work it chronicles.
Movie Review: I've been in the museums
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't start my real study of WWII till late in life. I have been to both the Louvre and the Hermitage museums. I thought the Smithsonian was so great that no other museums could even be compared till I saw both of these. They are just great! I was in them many years ago and didn't know the history of the objects in them. Both of these museums were under seige in WWII. The peoples of France and Russia loved their museums so much they risked their lives to preserve these masterpieces. This DVD gives you all the backgrounds behind both Hitler's and the Russian's loved to own art. I happened to be in Russia in the mid 90s when it became known that they still had art that belonged to Germany and they weren't giving it back. If you love history and appreciate the great museums of the world, this is a must DVD. You won't believe how much art was stolen, hidden and taken during the war while men were fighting on the fronts. I didn't know we had special divisions in the army to help preserve certain monuments as we were bombing hundreds of yards away.Movie Review: A Film about the Spiritual Importance of Art, the Destructiveness of a Few, the Heroism of Many
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a terrific choice for teachers and small-group leaders. You probably already know the story: Adolf Hitler and a small group of top Nazi officials were so obsessed with art masterpieces that they "raped" Europe's cultural heritage during World War II.
This documentary certainly tells that story with vivid film and photography from both the war era and today. The restoration is far from over, even though more than 60 years have passed since the war's end, and we see examples of the dedicated professionals still trying to sort out the mess and restore broken masterpieces.
The themes that are most moving -- and most valuable for discussions -- are the portrayal of the importance of art to everyday men and women in various communities and the stories of individual art historians and volunteers who have made an enormous difference in trying to heal the wounds of the Nazis' destruction.
The film is appropriate for high school classes, as well.