Years ago, I couldn't sleep and decided to watch some TV at about 3am. I happened upon a wonderfully made documentary about the slow and deliberate process by which the Nazis indoctrinated the German public to prepare them for sterilizations and euthanasia. But, instead of proposing these programs be used on the Jews, it was first tried out on the mentally and physically ill--the so-called 'defectives'. When I started watching "Shadow of the Reich: Nazi Medicine", I thought it might just be this same documentary. Although it turned out not to be the same one nor as good, it is excellent and well worth your time. However, care should be exercised concerning who watches it, as the film is NOT for kids--the clips shown in the film are very disturbing (which is no surprise).
"Shadow of the Reich" is about the German eugenics program. It traces it from the American eugenics program (which predated the German one and which consisted of compulsory sterilization programs in 23 states) as well as the progression of German doctors' involvement in the liquidation and experimentation on 'undesirables'. It consists of various film clips, interviews as well as narration--all creating an excellent portrait of the movement. Overall, it's very well made and will probably sadden you...as it should. Worth seeing.
"Shadow of the Reich" is about the German eugenics program. It traces it from the American eugenics program (which predated the German one and which consisted of compulsory sterilization programs in 23 states) as well as the progression of German doctors' involvement in the liquidation and experimentation on 'undesirables'. It consists of various film clips, interviews as well as narration--all creating an excellent portrait of the movement. Overall, it's very well made and will probably sadden you...as it should. Worth seeing.
