The Photographer of Mauthausen

If you are interested in Holocaust during the World War II this is another one not to miss. A true story perfectly documented with many proofs. The scenarios are original and I really felt to be in this nightmare created by the Nazis. The actors delivered great performances. Bravo. It gets 10/10.

In 1989, I was 22 and visited Mauthausen. I met a Polish man there who had been a prisoner during the war. He was 75 and had not been back since. The travel guide was informing the group I was with, that there were three prisoners to a bunk. The polish man had to correct him, via his companion who translated, that there were actually 6 to a bed. There's no doubt that the Spaniards received far better treatment than the Jews did. It's evident in the film and some research reveals what horrors the Jews endured. We get a sense of the horror there but we never get a real close look at it. Perhaps that's for the best. There are other Holocaust films far more brutal than this one. I wouldn't even call this a Holocaust film.

Having said that, this is telling the story of the photographer and a true story at that, which is what makes it so compelling. People unable to relate to the characters or challenging the special effects, need to check their humanity. Some even criticise the treatment of the SS in the film. They were much worse in reality. Again, do some reading. Do people read anymore?

The second half of the film is more tense as the risks increase. They were brave in what they tried to achieve.

The stairs of death don't feature a lot but still, seeing them again gave me chills. The Kapos were brutal in all the camps. That depiction was accurate.

There are further stories of Mauthausen to be told but perhaps the reality was bad enough. The stories are out there if people dig around a little.

A solid film and a fascinating side note to a much broader, more horrific aspect of genocide.

A film that brilliantly portays the true horrors committed by the Nazis and how the victims fought back. The filmography is quite elegant and so was the acting. The 6.5 rating(at the time of writing) is quite an understatement.

About some very brave people at a horrible time in our history

It's so important that risk they took to document for all time what happened at Mauthausen is told to the world.

While it can sometimes get very chessy and the low budget is aparent, this is still a interesting story with a very unique point of view and capable actors. Give it a watch if it sounds good to you! You won't be dissapointed.