Erna, Helmut and the Nazis

Apr 29, 2021

1h 0m

★ 7.3

Overview

Germany, 1929. Helmut Machemer and Erna Schwalbe fall madly in love and marry in 1932. Everything indicates that a bright future awaits them; but then, in 1933, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rise to power and their lives are suddenly put in danger because of Erna's Jewish ancestry.

Genres

Documentary

History

TV Movie

Production Companies

ARTE

Sagamedia

NDR

Erna, Helmut and the Nazis Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self - Narrator (voice)

Michaela Kametz

Self

Hans Machemer

Self

Thea Wilmer

Self

Ludger Terliesner

Self

Hermann Krumme

Additional Voice (voice)

Matthias Kiel

Additional Voice (voice)

Miriam Jansen

Additional Voice (voice)

Uli Auer

Additional Voice (voice)

Claudia Kaffanke

Additional Voice (voice)

Nick Gardiner

Self (archive footage)

Helmut Machener

Self (archive footage)

Erna Schwalbe

In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.

7.0

The Tin Drum

May 2, 1979

In 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.

7.9

Ben-Hur

Nov 18, 1959

In ancient Judea, a Jewish aristocrat opposing Roman occupation of his homeland reunites with his childhood friend, now a Roman commander — setting in motion a saga of betrayal, adventure, tragedy, revenge, and faith.

6.9

Pearl Harbor

May 21, 2001

The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

6.8

Dongji Rescue

Aug 8, 2025

Inspired by the real life rescue of over 300 British soldiers in 1942, Dongji Rescue is a rousing, action-packed story of heroism on the high seas. When the Japanese warship Lisbon Maru is torpedoed off the coast of Dongji Island, the lives of over 300 British POWs on board are at risk of being claimed by the sea. Their only hope is a small group of defiant Chinese fisherman who will do anything to rescue and protect them from their captors.

8.6

The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru

Aug 31, 2024

Filmmaker Fang Li and his crew explore exhaustive historical investigation, as far as possible to find the core of the British, American, Japanese and Chinese parties and descendants, trying to infinitely close to the truth of the World War II "Death Ship" — "Lisbon Maru", which is 30 meters under the sea off the East Polar Island in Zhoushan, China.

9.5

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack

Jun 6, 2025

A forensic investigation into the impact of Israeli military operations on Gaza’s healthcare system. This urgent documentary examines evidence of widespread destruction across the territory’s medical infrastructure, where all 36 main hospitals have reportedly been damaged or destroyed. Hundreds of healthcare workers — including doctors and surgeons — are known to have been killed, injured or detained, with some alleging imprisonment and mistreatment

8.0

Underwater Papanikolis

Sep 24, 1971

October 28, 1940. Along with the Italian army's attack on the Greek-Albanian border, Greece comes under fire from the Italian air force. The submarine Papanikolis, commanded by Captain Milto Iatridis and First Officer Vasilis Aslanoglou, is ordered to patrol the Gulf of Patras. Following the army's victories, the war council decides that it is time for the navy to enter the war and orders the submarine Papanikolis to patrol the Strait of Otranto. There, the crew captures the crew of an Italian ship and their engineer reveals the minefields of the Adriatic. Thus, the Papanikolis begins its mission. After completing its mission, it returns to its base, where it is honored.

7.7

Never Look Away

Oct 3, 2018

German artist Kurt Barnert has escaped East Germany and now lives in West Germany, but is tormented by his childhood under the Nazis and the GDR regime.

0.0

The Natural History of Destruction

Mar 16, 2023

Is it morally acceptable to use the civilian population as yet another tool for waging war? Is it possible to justify death and destruction for the sake of supposedly lofty ideals? The question remains as pertinent today as it was at the beginning of World War II, and it is becoming increasingly urgent to answer, as countless tragedies have been caused by unethical political decisions.

7.6

The Last Emperor

Oct 4, 1987

A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.

No Image Available

0.0

UFO: Secrets of the Third Reich

Jan 1, 1998

One of the greatest mysteries of our century is the occult background of the Third Reich and its secret societies, such as the New Templar Order, the Thule and Vril Society and the “Lords of the Black Sun” (SS). They were the best ancient orientalists of their time - did they know about the existence of extraterrestrial technology in antiquity? The Allies have always denied knowledge of mysterious, antigravity-powered German circular aircraft codenamed “Vril” and “Haunebu” - but they really did exist. Numerous sources unearthed in recent years clearly support their existence as part of the German secret weapons project towards the end of the Second World War. But how far had the plans progressed? Were flying saucers actually used?

4.9

Her Dark Past

Nov 27, 2016

After waking up from a coma, Alice has no memory. As she learns the horrible truths about her past self, she must fight for redemption.

8.0

The Black Book

Dec 13, 2020

The Black Book, drafted during World War II, gathers numerous unique historical testimonies, in an effort to document Nazi abuses against Jews in the USSR . Initially supported by the regime and aimed at providing evidence during the executioners’ trials in the post-war era, the Black Book was eventually banned and most of its authors executed on Stalin’s order. Told through the voices of its most famous instigators, soviet intellectuals Vassilli Grossman, Ilya Ehrenburg and Solomon Mikhoels, the documentary, provides a detailed account of the tragic destiny of this cursed book and puts the Holocaust and Stalinism in a new light.

7.2

Is Paris Burning?

Oct 26, 1966

Near the end of World War II, Gen. Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he cannot maintain control of the city. After much contemplation Choltitz decides to ignore his orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, along with Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a resistance leader organize his forces.

7.0

The Girl with the Instagram

May 1, 2019

Nagyvárad, Hungary, 1944. From February to June, Eva Heyman, a 13-year-old Jewish girl, wrote a diary describing the harsh conditions of her life under Nazi occupation. How would she have told her story if she had used Instagram?

6.5

The Children of the Resistance

Feb 11, 2026

During the German occupation of World War II, François, Eusèbe, and Lisa, three courageous children, embark on a secret adventure: resisting the Nazis in the heart of France. Through sabotage, hidden messages, and perilous escapes, they carry out clandestine actions right under the enemy's nose. Daring and friendship are their only weapons in the fight against injustice.

5.8

The Peaks of Zelengore

Jan 1, 1976

During the Battle of Sutjeska, partisan troops must endure 24 hours of big and heavy attacks on German units Ljubino grave, to the main Partisan units, with the wounded and the Supreme Headquarters, pulled out the ring that is tightened around them.

6.0

Marceline. A Woman. A Century

May 1, 2019

Portrait of Marceline Loridan-Ivens, a writer and filmmaker who survived the Holocaust.