Final Account (2020) Movie Review
Director Luke Holland embarks on a journey that I would not have attempted in a million years. In the documentary, Final Account, Holland interviews the last remaining members of Hitler’s Third Reich. These interviews contain a smattering of men and women who each held different positions in the Nazi regime. Some of them were guards in the concentration camps, some were fighting on the Russian front, and some worked in offices. Their loyalty to the fascist regime varied. Some seemed like they regretted being part of it and others still clung to the belief that they did the right thing and actually believed in the vision of the Nazis. I was surprised that so many of them were willing to speak to Holland on camera. I was also surprised at how many of them kept memorabilia from that time period. Photos, medals, identification cards, and other knick knacks were on display throughout the movie.
From a historical perspective it was quite interesting to see and hear first hand accounts of what Germany was like during WWII. Holland also mixes in some archival footage that I hadn’t seen before of Germany during the Nazi era. Some of it was colorized which added to the realness of the situation at hand. What fascinated me most was how Holland was able to capture the method each person used to cope with what they had done. It was rare to see any of those interviewed take full responsibility for the part they played in the Final Solution and the terror and death inflicted on so many. Most of them used some sort of logic gymnastics to say that they were only doing as they were told or that they never directly killed anyone so it really wasn’t their fault or responsibility. It’s impressive the lengths the human mind will go to in order to convince yourself that you’re a decent person even when all evidence points to the contrary.
It was disheartening to listen to some of the interviewees defend their actions and spew messages of hate about Jewish people. You would think that some level of reflection and intellectual maturity might have set in and helped them to admit their mistakes. Some of the interviewees were able to voice their regret and responsibility of being involved, but it was fewer than I would have liked. Holland delves into some dark territory and I’m not sure what he hoped to find there. There isn’t a clear through line to the movie and it ends on a note of tired resignation. Perhaps the Final Account simply justifies the age old adage that the only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.
Film or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You are a WWII history buff
2. You enjoy heavy documentaries
3. You want to hear first hand accounts from members of Hitler’s Third Reich
