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The Architecture of Doom

Original title: Undergångens arkitektur
  • 1989
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
The Architecture of Doom (1989)
History DocumentaryDocumentaryHistory

An absorbing and chilling documentary about the National Socialist aesthetic, and how attempts to create the Aryan Ideal caused the extermination of millions. Aspects covered include: Hitler... Read allAn absorbing and chilling documentary about the National Socialist aesthetic, and how attempts to create the Aryan Ideal caused the extermination of millions. Aspects covered include: Hitler's epiphany while viewing Wagner's opera 'Rienzi', the rise of the homo-erotic Grecian/Nor... Read allAn absorbing and chilling documentary about the National Socialist aesthetic, and how attempts to create the Aryan Ideal caused the extermination of millions. Aspects covered include: Hitler's epiphany while viewing Wagner's opera 'Rienzi', the rise of the homo-erotic Grecian/Nordic ideal, the parallels drawn between the 'degenerate' art of the cubists and dadaists an... Read all

  • Director
    • Peter Cohen
  • Writer
    • Peter Cohen
  • Stars
    • Rolf Arsenius
    • Bruno Ganz
    • Sam Gray
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Cohen
    • Writer
      • Peter Cohen
    • Stars
      • Rolf Arsenius
      • Bruno Ganz
      • Sam Gray
    • 9User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Photos3

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    Top cast18

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    Rolf Arsenius
    • Narrator (original version)
    • (voice)
    Bruno Ganz
    Bruno Ganz
    • Narrator (German, subtitled English versions)
    • (voice)
    Sam Gray
    • Narrator (dubbed English version)
    Martin Bormann
    Martin Bormann
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Karl Brandt
    Karl Brandt
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Dr. Karl Brandt)
    Arno Breker
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Hermann Giesler
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Joseph Goebbels
    Joseph Goebbels
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • (as Josef Goebbels)
    Heinrich Himmler
    Heinrich Himmler
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Adolf Hitler
    Adolf Hitler
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Wilhelm Keitel
    Wilhelm Keitel
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Viktor Lutze
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Jeanne Moreau
    Jeanne Moreau
    • Narrator (French version)
    • (voice)
    Alfred Rosenberg
    Alfred Rosenberg
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt
    Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Albert Speer
    Albert Speer
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Josef Thorak
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    P.L. Troost
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • Peter Cohen
    • Writer
      • Peter Cohen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      While researching this film in Germany, director Peter Cohen stumbled upon an obscure industrial documentary about various methods of vermin control for factory use. This short, entitled "Kleinkrieg" (or "Little War"), proved invaluable as it was the first to advocate the use of Zyklon-B as an effective means of mass extermination.
    • Connections
      Features Opfer der Vergangenheit (1937)
    • Soundtracks
      Rienzi (excerpt)
      Music by Richard Wagner

    User reviews9

    Featured review
    10/10

    Fascinating insight to what drove Hitler and his ideals to fruition.

    This is an excellent documentary and exposé into the psychology and ideals that, in great part, were responsible for Hitler's passion and vision that would drive the dynamics of Germany's politics. As absurd and surreal his ambitions may have been... there was a part of his dream that oddly seems honest and noble but character flawed. By no means should anyone admire the reality of his vision but be fascinated by how fast and furious Hitler and the Nazi doctrine brought a crushed post WWI Germany and its people to the brink of world domination in less then a decade. Indeed Hitler was an example of extreme self anointed indulgence and a deluded fantasy that millions paid the price by being murdered and exterminated as human vermin. A tragedy and a mind that I hope will never see the light of day ever again.

    Highly recommended 9/10
    • amsvegas
    • Feb 10, 2007
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 13, 1989 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • Sweden
    • Language
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Architektur des Untergangs
    • Production companies
      • Poj Filmproduktion AB
      • SVT Drama
      • Sandrews
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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