"Von Caligari zu Hitler" is an award-winning German documentary movie from 2014, so still a relatively new work written and directed by Rüdiger Suchsland based on the book by Siegfried Kracauer. The title already gives away that this almost 2-hour movie focuses on the Weimar Republic ("From Caligari to Hitler: German Cinema in the Age of the Masses") and the impact that the films made during that period had on Germany, but also the impact of politics and society on German films during these 15 years. I must say I am normally skeptical when a filmmaker narrates his own documentary. Not everybody is Werner Herzog. But after a brief moment of adjusting to Suchsland's voice, I quite liked what I heard. I also believe it was a good idea to use a second narrator for quotes taken directly out of the book this is based on. What is especially impressive is that it was Suchsland's very first directorial effort and that is really a start that not even most of the greats managed. Despite having seen many German (silent) films from that era, I must say that I did not end up liking too many of these. The good thing, however, is that this had no impact on my perception of this one here. It was an interesting watch from start to finish and I believe the filmmaker managed a convincing study. I also think you don't need to have great political knowledge about that time to enjoy the watch. My interest for example does not really start before 1933 either. And you probably do not need to have seen (m)any of the films referenced in here to enjoy it. It's a really educational work that never drags and I would definitely call it one of the best examples of film on film documentaries I have ever seen. From a very personal perspective I must say it was extraordinary to see these people that are long dead and to wonder how life (i.e. war a.o.) shaped them not just before they were recorded, but also afterward, especially when you watch them in a simple moment harmlessly enjoying themselves. The director did a great job in making a connection between me as an audience member and the people you see in here. And to end my review, I would like to make a statement on the closing credits fittingly as it somewhat broke my heart to see all the names of these creative people at the very end and read after each and every name that they left Germany before/when the Nazi party took over. Oh what could have been in terms of Germany being a defining filmmaking country for decades to come. Please watch this documentary. Highly, highly recommended and criminally underseen.
