Watch My Enemy's Enemy

My Enemy's Enemy is a gripping documentary that delves into the controversial life of Klaus Barbie - the notorious Gestapo officer who was nicknamed 'The Butcher of Lyon' for his brutal interrogation techniques during the Nazi occupation of France. The documentary primarily focuses on his post-war career as a spy for the United States, particularly his collaboration with the CIA in South America.

The movie begins by detailing Barbie's rise to power within the Nazi regime as a ruthless interrogator who garnered a reputation for his inhumane tactics, which included torture, sexual abuse, and murder. One particularly infamous incident that the documentary highlights is his role in the deportation of 44 Jewish children from an orphanage in Lyon to Auschwitz.

However, as the war came to a close, Barbie managed to evade arrest and fled to South America with the help of the infamous Ratlines - a network of secret escape routes used by Nazi war criminals to escape prosecution. Once in South America, Barbie settled in Bolivia and began a new life with a new identity.

The documentary then shifts its focus to the 1950s and 60s, during which time Barbie became an instrumental figure in the fight against communism in Bolivia. Under the guise of a businessman, Barbie became a key player in Bolivia's political scene and actively worked with the CIA to suppress leftist organizations and movements.

It is this part of Barbie's life that the documentary explores in greater detail, and viewers are introduced to the various individuals who played a role in his eventual downfall. These include Raymond Aubrac, a French Resistance fighter who was tortured by Barbie during the war, and Robert Badinter, a French lawyer who played a key role in bringing Barbie to justice.

Through interviews with these individuals and archival footage from the time, the documentary presents a compelling narrative of how Barbie's life intersected with larger historical events such as the Cold War, the Cuban Revolution, and the rise of Latin American dictatorships. It also touches on the controversial role played by the US government in granting safe haven to Nazi war criminals and using them as assets in their intelligence operations.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is how it presents different perspectives on Barbie's legacy. While some see him as a monstrous figure who committed unspeakable crimes against humanity, others view him as a useful asset in the fight against communism and a patriotic hero who fought for his country. The documentary skillfully presents both these perspectives without taking a clear stand on which one is more valid.

Overall, My Enemy's Enemy is a well-crafted documentary that sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of post-war history and raises important questions about the morality of intelligence operations and the politics of justice. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in World War II history, the Cold War, or espionage.

My Enemy's Enemy is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.