[Marxism] Disturbing the Guilty Archives of the Wehrmacht (NYT)

["Walter Lippmann" <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This director's earlier film, THE NASTY GIRL, depicts in a graphic 
manner, all the more compelling because it's done with humor, about 
what happens to people who refuse to accept "the official story" of 
history, or other doctrinal mandates, up to and including today's.

This movie sounds like a good complement to the writings of people 
like Raul Hilberg, about whom I learned here on Marxmail. Hilberg's 
memoir, like his historical writings, shows very well what happens 
to those who don't follow the more typical script: that in order to
get along, you have to go along with the leadership's version and 
vision of the way things are supposed to be. 


Walter Lippmann
Los Angeles, California
====================================================================

THE NEW YORK TIMES
September 7, 2007
Disturbing the Guilty Archives of the Wehrmacht
By A. O. SCOTT
Published: September 7, 2007

?The Unknown Soldier,? a new documentary by Michael Verhoeven, takes
on one of the comforting myths of postwar Germany: the idea that
ordinary German soldiers were for the most part unaware of and
uninvolved in the worst crimes of the Nazi regime.

In a version of history held by many Germans, the SS and other
specialized organizations conceived and carried out policies of
extermination against civilians, while the Wehrmacht rank and file
went about the usual business of fighting the enemy. It was thus
possible, after the war, to commemorate the service of fathers and
grandfathers, and even to treat them with a measure of sentimental
reverence, without condoning the atrocities of the Third Reich.

An exhibit that opened in Munich in 1997 explicitly challenged this
view of history, and the controversy it provoked is the subject of
Mr. Verhoeven?s film. Though his sympathies are clearly with the
historians and curators who presented the German public with
documentary and photographic evidence showing the extent of Wehrmacht
participation in mass killings, Mr. Verhoeven allows all sides of the
debate to be heard. Except, that is, for the far-right nationalist
protesters whose leaders impose a gag rule, answering questions only
with assertions that ?the press lies.?

Listening to some Wehrmacht veterans defend themselves, he catches
the familiar evasions of whitewashing and denial, as individuals
trying to wriggle off the hook of culpability end up making excuses
for Hitler as well. The reckoning with the past, which has occupied
West German society since the 1960s, has been painful and divisive,
which makes the calm, empirical spirit of this film all the more
impressive.

Mr. Verhoeven has visited its themes before: in his 1990 film, ?The
Nasty Girl,? based on the true story of a young woman who challenged
her hometown?s evasion of its wartime history. ?The Unknown Soldier?
is dense with detail and thick with painstaking interpretations, and
it may be hard going for viewers not already familiar with the German
intellectual scene. The film is a succession of talking-head
interviews, and without some narration it is hard to understand the
context of their arguments.

The content, however, is clear enough, and the evidence of Wehrmacht
atrocities is both chilling and fascinating. The thoroughness with
which ?The Unknown Soldier? expunges the last traces of innocence
from the citizens of the Third Reich may inspire some sympathy for
those who came after. In this country, after all, we are accustomed
to looking back admiringly on the achievements of the Greatest
Generation. Germans, in contrast, must grapple with the legacy of
their worst.

THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Opens today in Manhattan.

Produced and directed by Michael Verhoeven; in German, with English
subtitles; edited by Gabriele Kröber; music by Martin Grubinger, Mike
Herting and Art Percussion; released by First Run Features. At the
Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village. Running time: 97
minutes. This film is not rated.


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