The History of the RAF(2015)

The History of the RAF is a six-part German documentary series that traces the origins, rise, and fall of the Red Army Faction, the left-wing militant group that terrorized West Germany during the Cold War. Each episode runs 45 minutes, combining archival footage with interviews from law enforcement and security officials who battled the organization firsthand. The series features testimony from Winfried Ridder, a former department head at Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and Rainer Hofmeyer, who held a similar position at the Federal Criminal Police Office. Political scientist Wolfgang Kraushaar provides historical context and analysis. Commissioned by ZDF in 2014, The History of the RAF offers a comprehensive look at one of Europe's most significant terrorist movements, examining how a radical ideology transformed into systematic violence and how authorities eventually dismantled the network.