Watch The Decent One

The Decent One is a 2014 Holocaust documentary-drama film directed by Vanessa Lapa. The film explores the life and career of Heinrich Himmler, one of the most prominent leaders of the Nazi Party and the head of the SS. The documentary features never-before-seen private and official documents, letters, diaries, and photographs from Himmler, his family, and other high-ranking Nazi officials.

The film opens with a series of black-and-white photographs and footage of the aftermath of the Holocaust, including concentration camps and mass graves. The haunting imagery sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is a deep dive into the mind of one of the main architects of the genocide.

The first half of the film focuses on Himmler's upbringing, his relationship with his family, and his early political activism. The documentary shows how Himmler was a deeply ideological man who was committed to his cause from a young age. It also delves into his relationship with his wife and children, revealing a man who was deeply devoted to his family.

As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the main aim of the documentary is to humanize Himmler, to show that he was not just a caricature of evil but a real person. There are scenes of him playing with his children, writing love letters to his wife, and laughing with his colleagues. However, the documentary never lets viewers forget that this man was responsible for the deaths of millions of people.

The second half of the film focuses on Himmler's role in the Holocaust. The documentary shows how he oversaw the concentration camps, how he implemented policies that led to the extermination of Jews and other minorities, and how he was involved in the planning of the Final Solution. The film also includes interviews with historians and experts who shed light on the inner workings of the Nazi regime.

One of the most chilling aspects of the documentary is the sheer banality of evil. Himmler comes across as a bureaucrat who was simply doing his job, implementing policies that he believed were necessary for the survival of the German nation. The viewer is left with the uncomfortable realization that ordinary people, even those who seem kind and loving, are capable of committing horrific acts if they are convinced that they are doing the right thing.

The film does not shy away from the gruesome details of the Holocaust. There are scenes of mass shootings, gas chambers, and piles of corpses. However, the filmmakers are careful not to exploit the suffering of the victims. The footage is always shown in a respectful and thoughtful way, and the focus is on the actions of the perpetrators rather than the victims.

Overall, The Decent One is a powerful and thought-provoking film that will leave viewers with a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and the people who perpetrated it. The film does an excellent job of humanizing Himmler without excusing his actions, and it serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of extremism and dehumanization.

The Decent One is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 55.