In 1945, the world was forever changed by the shocking revelations of the horrors that had been perpetrated in Nazi concentration camps. In the wake of liberation, an extensive documentary film was made to document the atrocities and bear witness to this dark chapter in history. This film, titled ‘Memory of the Camps’, is a powerful reminder of what happened during World War II and serves as a tribute to those who suffered.
The documentary was composed from footage taken by Allied soldiers entering German concentration camps shortly after their liberation. The recordings show sights which have haunted humanity ever since they were first seen in 1945: piles of emaciated corpses, unspeakable brutality towards prisoners, and other indelible scenes of terror and despair. It is difficult to watch these images without being profoundly moved by their tragedy and sorrow.
The original footage was shot on 16 mm film over several months in 1945 but remained unfinished until it was rediscovered by FRONTLINE in 1985 when it was broadcast for the first time using its original title. Since then, Memory of the Camps has been released multiple times with additional features such as interviews with survivors and experts on war crimes.
It is essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand this grim period in history and more importantly serve as a sobering reminder that human cruelty can never be overlooked or forgotten. We must take ACTION to eradicate hatred before we are again faced with similar tragedies – Memory of the Camps is an invaluable learning tool which can help ensure our future generations never experience such atrocities firsthand.
