The History of the S.S.(1981)

The History of the S.S. is a 1981 PBS documentary that examines the origins, structure, and criminal legacy of Nazi Germany's paramilitary organization. Through interviews with former S.S. members, concentration and death camp survivors, camp personnel, and West German prosecutors, the film constructs a comprehensive account of the organization's rise and its role in atrocities during World War II. The documentary balances perpetrator testimony with survivor accounts and legal proceedings, offering viewers multiple perspectives on how the S.S. operated and how postwar justice systems addressed crimes against humanity. This unflinching historical record remains essential viewing for understanding one of history's darkest chapters.