HITLER’S REICH – A GERMAN JOURNAL
Victims and perpetrators, opponents and supporters – this character-driven documentary series showcases eight individuals from across the German Reich who share diary entries written between 1933 and 1945.
On 8 May 1945, the Wehrmacht surrendered unconditionally. The collapse of the “Third Reich” was sealed. A day of liberation – but for many Germans, it was a day of defeat. May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of this historic turning point, the military and moral victory over a populace that had largely supported Hitler’s regime for more than 12 years. This documentary series explores the Third Reich from the different perspectives of people who lived through it. Eight individuals from across the German Reich share excerpts from their diaries and provide intimate glimpses into their lives between 1933 and 1945. They are victims and perpetrators, members of the resistance, passive followers and active supporters of the regime. Representing diverse social groups, denominations and generations, their stories illustrate how a democracy can turn into a dictatorship. Alongside the diary entries, the series features exclusive material from film and photo archives, enriched by graphic novel elements from renowned illustrator Vincent Burmeister. Across four episodes, this character-driven documentary series forges an emotional connection with the protagonists and their poignant, conflicted and often complex stories.