NHK's "Century of Images, High-Definition Special: Europe: 2077 Days of Hell," which looks back on World War II through high-definition archival footage, will air "Part 3: The Dictator Who Took His People Down with Him, 1944-1945" on August 4th at 10:00 PM on NHK General TV. Even after his illusions crumbled, dictator Hitler continued to order his people to wage total war, and the German people, in turn, entrusted their fate to their dictator. As a result, Germany suffered heavy casualties and was defeated. While it seemed as if the flames of war had finally died down in Europe, the footage depicts the beginning of a new wave of violence. This is the final part of a three-part series that confronts us with the harsh reality that continues to this day in the world.
World War II was recorded by various countries for propaganda purposes using high-resolution 35mm film, the same type used in film production. Until now, the program has used footage that has deteriorated due to repeated copying of the original 35mm film footage, but for this program, approximately 50 hours of original footage stored in Germany's Bundesarchive and the US National Archives have been directly converted to ultra-high-definition video, including 8K, and colorized. The 2K program for NHK General TV is based on this footage, so viewers can enjoy beautiful images with clearer details than ever before.
The color footage makes every detail clearer, allowing us to clearly read the expressions of each person on screen. Part 3 is a highlight, as it shows Hitler's physical functions being eroded and his ability to make sound judgments being lost in the course of the war.
Hitler survived repeated assassination attempts, and the public was shown footage of him in good health. However, when the footage from that time is replayed in high definition and the details are examined, it becomes clear that the impact of the attacks was significant, with his ears damaged by the blast making it difficult to hear, and his swollen right hand preventing him from using it, so he shook hands with his left. It can also be seen that Hitler's left hand, held behind his back, is trembling slightly, suggesting the condition of Hitler, who is said to have suffered from Parkinson's disease.
Meanwhile, Hitler's popularity, which had been shattered after his defeat by the Soviets at Stalingrad, was revived when the assassination attempt failed. "When I heard that the assassination attempt had failed, I thought that he (Hitler) was indeed protected by God," recalled a German citizen. As Hitler's popularity soared to the point of becoming religious, donations to the Nazis also skyrocketed. The German people entrusted their fate to Hitler. Knowing the devastation that followed for Germany, it is hard not to feel complicated emotions.
Another highlight is the real reality of war revealed through archival footage. The program unfolds from the perspective of film director George Stevens, who volunteered to join the U.S. Army film crew and recorded the reality of the front lines using color film, which was rare at the time. After the war, Stevens directed the classic Western "Shane" and James Dean's final film, "Giant."
Prior to the Normandy landings, the Allied forces bombed German positions, but to prevent the landing site from being identified, they also dropped bombs and shelled towns unrelated to the operation, resulting in the deaths of 35,000 French civilians. After the operation was carried out, footage of Stevens, who entered France, also shows towns in ruins.
In liberated France, he records the joyous citizens, but what followed was not "peace" but "new violence." Remnants of the German army were shot in public. Lynchings of those who collaborated with Germany continued in retaliation, and women who had romantic relationships with Germans were shaved.
Stevens also documented the Dachau concentration camp in Munich, Germany, where Jews were held. Footage is shown of Jews desperately searching for young Nazis disguised in prison uniforms and attempting to blend in with the inmates to escape. "I see the Nazi in every person. I see the Nazi in myself," Stevens' words seem like a powerful message to today's world, where hatred continues to circulate and violence and war never cease. This is the final episode of this high-definition special, not to be missed. (Text by Sasamoto Hirozai/MANTAN)
