Watch The U.S. and the Holocaust: A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein (4K UHD)

The U.S. and the Holocaust: A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein is a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking documentary that explores the role of the United States during the Holocaust. The documentary is a collaboration between PBS Documentaries and Florentine Films.

Narrated by Peter Coyote, with the voice of Liam Neeson, this documentary brings together rare archive footage, powerful interviews, and firsthand accounts to tell the story of how the United States government and its citizens responded to the Holocaust, both before and during the war.

The film begins by looking at the political situation in America during the 1930s as the Nazi regime rose to power in Germany. At this time, there were fears of another world war, and many in America were preoccupied with the Great Depression. While some voices in America spoke out against the growing threat of fascism in Europe, others, like aviator Charles Lindbergh and the America First Committee, called for isolationism.

As the war began, the United States struggled with how to respond to the atrocities being committed by the Nazis. Some politicians argued for intervention, while others maintained an isolationist stance. Despite growing evidence of the horrors of the concentration camps, the U.S. government was slow to act to help refugees fleeing Europe.

The documentary explores the events leading up to the U.S. entry into the war, and how public opinion began to shift once the full extent of the Holocaust became known. It also covers the role of individual Americans who risked their lives to help Jews and other targeted groups during the war, including Martha Sharp and the Emergency Rescue Committee.

The U.S. and the Holocaust is a meticulously researched documentary that not only covers the political and military events of the time but also highlights the personal stories of individuals who lived through this period. Testimonies from Holocaust survivors, along with letters and diary entries, provide a powerful insight into the horrors experienced by those targeted by the Nazis.

One of the most striking aspects of the documentary is how it explores the idea of moral responsibility. The film raises difficult questions about whether the U.S. could have done more to prevent the Holocaust, and whether individual Americans could have done more to help refugees. It also highlights the ways in which anti-Semitism and racism in America at the time affected the government's response to the unfolding tragedy in Europe.

The production quality of this documentary is exceptional. Shot in stunning 4K UHD, the archival footage and photos are crisp and detailed, providing a window into a world that seems distant yet eerily familiar. The music score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, known for their work on The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is haunting and poignant, perfectly complementing the visuals and subject matter of the film.

Overall, The U.S. and the Holocaust: A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein is a powerful and important documentary that sheds light on a difficult and tragic period of history. It celebrates the bravery and humanity of those who sought to help the victims of the Holocaust, while challenging viewers to confront the failures and shortcomings of the U.S. and its citizens during this time. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, politics, and the human experience.

The U.S. and the Holocaust: A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein (4K UHD) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between September 18, 2022 and on PBS Documentaries