JIFF: The Eichmann Trial

The Eichmann Trial

“The Eichmann Trial is more than a documentary – it is a profound educational experience that delves into the moral complexities facing humanity.” – Overly Honest Reviews

Australian Premiere

Constructed entirely from archival footage of the trial itself and contemporaneous news coverage, The Eichmann Trial documents the prosecution of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem in 1961. After being apprehended in Buenos Aires, the former Nazi officer was taken to Jerusalem to face justice. The entire court proceedings, lasting almost four months, were filmed and broadcast on televisions around the world – for many, this was the first time they’d come to understand the full extent of the Nazi atrocities during World War II.

An editor by trade, this is Elliot Levitt’s debut feature as director, but his editing skills shine in this story assembled from thousands of hours of footage. Levitt situates us in 1961 so concretely, it’s almost as if we’re watching the trial unfold in real time. This is a profound return to a pivotal moment not only in legal history but also for Holocaust awareness and education.

Rating

Unclass18

Duration

103 min

Country

United States

Language

Hebrew, English (English subtitles)

Director

Elliot Levitt