In June 1944 the Allies invade German-occupied France in Normandy. The infamous, veteran 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich heads towards Normandy to shore up the defences and counter-attack. On its way to the battle it commits all manner of atrocities on the French civilian population.
Reasonably interesting. Covers some heinous events in history not often shown in documentaries (The World at War did cover the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre though). Also shows the aftermath and repercussions of these actions.
Not particularly edifying though. If you have any knowledge of WW2 you know of the brutality of the SS and other elements within the German regime. The assumption with this documentary is that you don't know how bad the Nazis were and need to be told over and over again that they were, and to what degree. Feels very patronising, very quickly.
Reasonably interesting. Covers some heinous events in history not often shown in documentaries (The World at War did cover the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre though). Also shows the aftermath and repercussions of these actions.
Not particularly edifying though. If you have any knowledge of WW2 you know of the brutality of the SS and other elements within the German regime. The assumption with this documentary is that you don't know how bad the Nazis were and need to be told over and over again that they were, and to what degree. Feels very patronising, very quickly.