Travis Simpkins: The Rape of Europa (2006): Documentary on Nazi Looting of Art During World War II

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

The Rape of Europa (2006): Documentary on Nazi Looting of Art During World War II

The Rape of Europa

by Travis Simpkins

Directed by Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newham, based on the book by Lynn H. Nicholas, The Rape of Europa (2006) is an in depth documentary that examines the unparalleled scope of plunder and art looting perpetrated by the Nazis from occupied territories during World War II. Much focus in placed on Adolf Hitler and his proposed Fuhrer Museum in Linz, as well as private collections of Nazi officials including Hermann Goering. The film looks at the means of theft, transportation, concealment and storage of the stolen Art… from Poland, Austria, France, Italy and the Soviet Union. Great insights are offered by still-living members of the Monuments Men and other Allied rescuers of Art, including the great efforts made to preserve and restore the works after they were liberated from their underground hiding places. Holocaust survivors and journalists provide further commentary, flanked by innumerable archival photos and maps. The scenes are well-edited and flow in linear fashion. In the end, an informative 120 minutes spent watching will prove very worthwhile.