Watch Surviving the Holocaust: Freddie Knoller's War

Surviving the Holocaust: Freddie Knoller's War is a harrowing and moving documentary from 2015 that tells the story of one man's fight for survival during the Second World War. Directed by Aaron Cohen and starring Tamsin Greig, Freda Knoller, and Freddie Knoller, the film follows Freddie as he recounts his experiences of the war, from his escape from Austria to his time in concentration camps and his eventual liberation.

The film is a powerful and emotional exploration of the horrors of the Holocaust, and the incredible strength and bravery of those who survived it. Through interviews with Freddie, his friends and family, and other survivors, the documentary brings to life the stories of those who lived through one of the darkest periods in human history.

Freddie's story begins in Vienna in 1921, where he grew up in a prosperous Jewish family. He was just 17 years old when Hitler annexed Austria in 1938, and he and his family were forced to flee the country. They made their way to Prague, where they were eventually caught by the Nazis and sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp.

Freddie's experiences at Theresienstadt were horrific. He was subjected to terrible abuse and torture, and witnessed countless acts of brutality and inhumanity. Despite this, he managed to survive, and was eventually transferred to Auschwitz-Birkenau.

At the camp, Freddie was forced to work as a slave labourer, enduring appalling conditions and constant danger. He witnessed countless acts of violence and cruelty, and narrowly escaped death on numerous occasions. But through his incredible resilience and determination, he managed to survive, and was eventually liberated by the Allies in 1945.

The documentary is narrated by Tamsin Greig, who brings a sense of intimacy and emotional depth to the film. Her voiceover adds weight to the stories of the survivors, and provides a clear and concise narrative structure for the film.

Throughout Surviving the Holocaust: Freddie Knoller's War, there are interviews with many survivors of the Holocaust, including Freddie's wife Freda, who shares her own heartbreaking story of survival. Together, these stories provide a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and to the importance of remembering the atrocities of the past.

The film also includes archive footage and photographs, which help to give a sense of the wider context of the Holocaust, and of the terrible suffering endured by millions of people during the war.

Overall, Surviving the Holocaust: Freddie Knoller's War is a deeply moving and important documentary that tells an incredibly powerful story of survival and hope in the face of unspeakable horror. Through its combination of personal testimony, historical footage, and expert analysis, the film brings the story of the Holocaust to life in a way that is both informative and deeply affecting.