Night and Fog (1956)

In the seminal documentary of 1955, directed by Alain Resnais, Night and Fog delves into the chilling annals of history to revisit one of humanity's darkest chapters - the Holocaust. Unflinchingly, the film charts the ominous rise of Nazi power in 1933, leading to the creation of concentration camps, an enduring symbol of man's capacity for inhumanity. The narrative unfolds across Europe, tracing the journey of innocents herded like cattle into these grim edifices of horror. The survivors not immediately culled are enslaved, their lives reduced to an endless cycle of brutal labor. By 1942, the film reveals the chilling climax of the Nazi's 'final solution' - the systematic extermination of all Jews. Night and Fog unites footage from disparate sources, creating a haunting tapestry of terror and suffering. Contemporary color footage from the now-dilapidated camps in Poland intertwines with black-and-white archival newsreels and victorious Allied footage. Alongside these, potent stills silently bear witness to the horrors that unfolded within the camp walls. Despite the passage of time and the erasure of physical remnants, the film serves as a stark reminder that the memory of these atrocities persists. Night and Fog stands not only as a poignant chronicle of the concentration camps but as a harrowing testament to the depths of man's brutal inhumanity. Thus, it stands as an unforgettable beacon of remembrance, illuminating the past to guard against the repetition of such horrors in the future.

Night and Fog is a documentary movie featuring Michel Bouquet.

Night and Fog is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Night and Fog on Amazon Video and Apple TV.