Watch Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships

Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships from CuriosityStream is a compelling documentary series that explores some of the lesser-known authoritarian regimes that ravaged Eastern Europe during the 20th century. The show takes an in-depth look at the brutal tactics and far-reaching consequences of regimes like Romania's Nicolae Ceaușescu, Albania's Enver Hoxha, and East Germany's Erich Honecker. With a combination of archival footage, expert interviews, and beautifully rendered recreations, Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships is an engrossing and informative journey into the dark side of European history.

The first episode of the series, entitled "Romania's Lost World," focuses on the megalomaniacal reign of Ceaușescu, who presided over one of the most repressive regimes in Eastern Europe. The show examines Ceaușescu's rise to power, his forced urbanization policies, and the bloody aftermath of his overthrow. Through interviews with former victims and archival footage of the regime's brutality, viewers get a vivid sense of the terror that Ceaușescu unleashed on his people.

The second episode, "Albania's House of Fear," introduces viewers to Hoxha, who created a uniquely insular and paranoid state in Albania. The show details Hoxha's indoctrination of the population through propaganda and isolation, as well as his persecution of anyone suspected of dissent. The episode also explores the bizarre construction of thousands of bunkers throughout the country, which served as both a protection against invasion and a symbol of the regime's perpetual state of fear.

The final episode, "The Stasi State," delves into the infamous East German secret police, known as the Stasi, and their all-encompassing surveillance and repression of the population. The show details the Stasi's tactics, including the use of informants, phone tapping, and psychological manipulation, that kept the regime in power for over 30 years. The episode also examines the impact of the Stasi's actions on East German society and the lasting legacy of the regime in today's world.

Throughout the series, Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships does an excellent job of contextualizing the events and people it covers. The show provides historical background on the countries and their political climates during the time of the featured regimes, as well as interviews with experts who provide insight into the broader geopolitical implications of these authoritarian regimes. Rather than focusing solely on the brutalities of the regimes, the series makes an effort to show how they came to be and why they were able to maintain power for so long.

Visually, the show is stunning. The archival footage is well-curated and coupled with animations and dramatic reenactments, which bring the stories to life. In particular, the recreations of Hoxha's Albania are beautifully shot, with a lush green landscape contrasted with the stark concrete bunkers used to intimidate the populace.

Overall, Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary series that sheds light on some of the darker corners of European history. It's an impressive combination of storytelling, filmmaking, and education, and it does an excellent job of making the complex history of these regimes accessible to a wide audience. Whether you're a history buff or just interested in learning more about this forgotten era, you won't be disappointed by this series.

Europe's Forgotten Dictatorships is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between July 7, 2022 and on CuriosityStream