Product Details

• Actors: Joan Allen
• Directors: Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen, Nicole Newnham
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Menemsha Films
• DVD Release Date: September 16, 2008
• Run Time: 117 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0011ZJ5C2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,119 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Rape of Europa" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Item Name: The Rape of Europa; Studio: Menemsha Films

Product Description

RAPE OF EUROPA - DVD Movie

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nazi's Art Plundering During World War II, July 12, 2008

By 

Chris Luallen (Nashville, Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rape of Europa (DVD)

As a young man Hilter was an aspiring but mediocre painter. But Hitler's artistic ambitions were thwarted when he was not accepted into the Academy Of Fine Arts in Vienna. Many of those on the admission board were apparently Jewish and some historians blame this rejection as playing an important role in the development of Hitler's rabid anti-Semitism.

This doc begins with a discussion of the Nazi's hatred of modern art, which they considered a "degenerate" Jewish form, and their obsession with collecting classical works of art. From there the film proceeds chronologically through the German invasions of Austria, Poland, France and Russia. In each place the Nazis plundered great works of art. Some were taken into private collections, such as the vast number owned by Hermann Goering, the Nazi's second in command. Others were placed in storage, with Hilter's ultimate goal being to create a massive Fuhrer Museum in his hometown of Linz, Austria.

Fortunately, massive evacuations were undertaken at the Louvre in Paris and the Hermitage in Leningard, which successfully hid numerous works of classic art from theft by the Nazis. But it wasn't only the Germans who did the plundering. The Soviets also engaged in massive looting of German art during their raids on Berlin. Also some Italian art and architecture was destroyed by American bombing. But, to their credit, the Americans also begin sending in Monuments Men who were entrusted with helping preserve art from further destruction and confiscating the works that had being stolen by the Germans.

The film contains a mix of extraordinary archival footage with narration by Joan Allen and interviews with various art historians and others. At close to 2 hours, it is rather long for a documentary and some may find it slow at times. But with it's primary purpose education rather than entertainment, it is best appreciated by those with a strong interest in European art and Nazi atrocities. It is a very well made documentary, however, and comes highly recommeded to those with at least some interest in the subject matter.

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new slant on history, January 5, 2008

By 

Beverly M. Carl "Beverly Carl" (Santa Fe,New Mexico,US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rape of Europa (DVD)

Incredible, amazing, unforgettable. Raises numerous unanswerable questions. To what extent did Hitler's actions stem from his rejection by the Viennese art school. Unsung heroes abound--from museum personnel to monuments men. Deservedly, the film seems to run forever in our small town of Santa Fe, NM. Still no end in sight. DON'T MISS!

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rape of Europa, May 1, 2008

By 

anarchteacher (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rape of Europa (DVD)

Quite simply, this is the best documentary I have seen in the past thirty years.

As an instructor in 20th Century World History I have viewed hundreds of films relating to the Second World War. This is the primary area I focus upon with my students.

The Rape of Europa is exceptionable film making and is unlike any other documentary both in its outstanding storyline and engaging cinematic presentation.

Well over ninety-percent of the photographic imagery and historical background content was absolutely new to me.

This is a film everyone should view and own in DVD format for their personal or family collection.

I urge every educator to purchase a copy for their classroom, every librarian for their institutional patrons.

My Highest Recommendation *****