With travel plans limiting our choices and a complete lack of desire to see the new Mummy movie, this week we decided to go the unconventional route of watching a first-run documentary. The Rape of Europa (NR) tells of the toll the Nazi occupation of Europe took on the art world before and during World War II. Richard Berge and Bonni Cohen direct, Joan Allen narrates.
Andy: I admit that I sometimes get tired of hearing about World War II. As the defining moment of the last century as well as one of the few wars in history where there was clearly a right and wrong side, it seems to have been discussed, dissected, fictionalized, and filmed so many times over that there couldn’t be that much new to say about it. I had not, however, heard much discussion of effect the war had on the masterworks of European art until this documentary. The result was both interesting and extremely educational.
Ryan: The Rape of Europa is a quite fascinating documentary. From a cinematic standpoint I have been getting a little drained with WW II themed movies. It's not so much the subject matter as the movies themselves. Regrettably many recent WW II movies haven't provided new insight with regard to the dialog of WW II. But The Rape of Europa is a pleasant exception that opens a door to an aspect of the war that I was not familiar with. As Andy says, it's very eye-opening and intriguing.
Andy: The most striking aspect of The Rape of Europa is the fact that it finds yet another way to demonstrate the evil of Adolph Hitler. From his premeditated plundering of famous works of art from neighboring European countries to his emptying of modern works from German museums, it is clear that his love of fine art was just as insane and tainted as every other aspect of his leadership. Perhaps most telling was Hitler’s plan to create a city that would be the cultural center of the world, highlighted by an art museum to be named in his honor and stocked with art the Nazis had stolen from all over Europe. Even at the time of his death, he hoped the plans for his city and museum would be carried out.
Ryan: Just when one thinks they have Nazism covered another subject comes to light. It just seems like it's a never-ending revelation in finding out how diabolical Hitler and his party were. As Andy alluded too, Hitler's love of fine art was as absurd as his other believes. He and his other Nazi goons (who were collecting the art) didn't appreciate the art for what it was was. They wanted it as simply treasures to push their own ego's and status. The links they went to acquire this art (really for their own selfish gains) simply demonstrates how nonsensical their mindsets were.
Andy: As far as documentary style goes, The Rape of Europa is fairly straightforward. Joan Allen’s narration is solid throughout, but the real story is told by people who were there. Residents of the European towns effected as well as U.S. soldiers whose job it was to locate and protect fine works of art offer stunning first-hand insight. Various pieces of footage from the war are used to highlight key areas of the film. This is nothing new to documentary filmmaking, but when you have subject matter as interesting as this, it doesn’t need to be.
Ryan: The Rape of Europa is not reinventing the wheel with it's documentary approach. It's very candid and clearcut with its filmmaking techniques. One gets a pretty full picture of the countries that were (and that still are) being effected by the atrocities of the Nazi party.
I'm exactly sure when The Rape of Europa will make it to this area or to DVD but for those that are interested in learning more on the subject there is an official website, http://www.rapeofeuropa.com/.
The Rape of Europa is a traditional documentary by design but excels in it's handling of it's sobering subject matter. Final grade: B+.
Andy: I admit that I sometimes get tired of hearing about World War II. As the defining moment of the last century as well as one of the few wars in history where there was clearly a right and wrong side, it seems to have been discussed, dissected, fictionalized, and filmed so many times over that there couldn’t be that much new to say about it. I had not, however, heard much discussion of effect the war had on the masterworks of European art until this documentary. The result was both interesting and extremely educational.
Ryan: The Rape of Europa is a quite fascinating documentary. From a cinematic standpoint I have been getting a little drained with WW II themed movies. It's not so much the subject matter as the movies themselves. Regrettably many recent WW II movies haven't provided new insight with regard to the dialog of WW II. But The Rape of Europa is a pleasant exception that opens a door to an aspect of the war that I was not familiar with. As Andy says, it's very eye-opening and intriguing.
Andy: The most striking aspect of The Rape of Europa is the fact that it finds yet another way to demonstrate the evil of Adolph Hitler. From his premeditated plundering of famous works of art from neighboring European countries to his emptying of modern works from German museums, it is clear that his love of fine art was just as insane and tainted as every other aspect of his leadership. Perhaps most telling was Hitler’s plan to create a city that would be the cultural center of the world, highlighted by an art museum to be named in his honor and stocked with art the Nazis had stolen from all over Europe. Even at the time of his death, he hoped the plans for his city and museum would be carried out.
Ryan: Just when one thinks they have Nazism covered another subject comes to light. It just seems like it's a never-ending revelation in finding out how diabolical Hitler and his party were. As Andy alluded too, Hitler's love of fine art was as absurd as his other believes. He and his other Nazi goons (who were collecting the art) didn't appreciate the art for what it was was. They wanted it as simply treasures to push their own ego's and status. The links they went to acquire this art (really for their own selfish gains) simply demonstrates how nonsensical their mindsets were.
Andy: As far as documentary style goes, The Rape of Europa is fairly straightforward. Joan Allen’s narration is solid throughout, but the real story is told by people who were there. Residents of the European towns effected as well as U.S. soldiers whose job it was to locate and protect fine works of art offer stunning first-hand insight. Various pieces of footage from the war are used to highlight key areas of the film. This is nothing new to documentary filmmaking, but when you have subject matter as interesting as this, it doesn’t need to be.
Ryan: The Rape of Europa is not reinventing the wheel with it's documentary approach. It's very candid and clearcut with its filmmaking techniques. One gets a pretty full picture of the countries that were (and that still are) being effected by the atrocities of the Nazi party.
I'm exactly sure when The Rape of Europa will make it to this area or to DVD but for those that are interested in learning more on the subject there is an official website, http://www.rapeofeuropa.com/.
The Rape of Europa is a traditional documentary by design but excels in it's handling of it's sobering subject matter. Final grade: B+.
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