Horst_In_Translation Review of Death Mills

Death Mills (1945)

Wilder's most important perhaps (and most underseen)

[6/10 · 9 February 2018]

"Death Mills" is an American English-language documentary from 1945 right from the end of World War II fittingly and this little black-and-white movie that runs for slightly over 20 minutes takes a first insight into liofe and death at concentration camps, which makes it a far more relevant film back then as it is today, but that's only because of everything we know now and should not take away anything from the film's credit. It is a historically important work that has the horrows that shock us the most, but these are also the parts that carry the film's weight as well as burden. It's only because of the 2-3 moments where the film drifts a bit into propaganda for example when it uses statistically and historically incorrect superlatives to describe Hitler. But luckily these are not too frequent and the positive and informative is more frequent in here. Also pay attention to Billy Wilder's background where he is from which may explain his inclusion as director here. This is not from very early in his career. Overall a watch that is as shocking as effective and consequently also as good if you have an interest in this political era and can stomach the visual contents. It's not extraordinary or a must-see, but I give the project as a whole a thumbs-up and recommend checking it out.