Eichmann Trial -- Sessions 82, 73, 75, 70, 87 -- Eichmann's role in camps, first trip, Goldstein testimony, submission of documents
Creator(s)
- Emil Knebel (Camera Operator)
- J. Kalach (Camera Operator)
- Rolf M. Kneller (Camera Operator)
- F. Csaznik (Camera Operator)
- Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive
- Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation (Producer)
- J. Jonilowicz (Camera Operator)
- Leo Hurwitz (Director)
- Milton Fruchtman (Producer)
Biographical History
Emil Knebel was a cinematographer known for Andante (2010), Adam (1973), and Wild Is My Love (1963). He was one of the cameramen who recorded daily coverage of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem (produced by Capital Cities Broadcasting Corp and later held academic positions in Israel and New York teaching filmmaking at universities. Refer to CV in file.
Scope and Content
Session 82. Dr. Servatius submits the second series of documents, this about Bohemia and Moravia. The first is a letter saying that Eichmann solved many problems within concentration camps. He asks Eichmann what those were, and if he really was involved. Eichmann says that he was not involved, this letter is not truthful. He says he had no role, no functions, no authority within the camps. The language of the original record is questioned; German is decided upon. 00:10:22 Session 73. Dr. Servatius submits another letter. This one concerns the search for Jews. Another concerns the Italian concerns and lists of who was sought. These are meant to show that Eichmann's office had little influence over such things. 00:19:23 Session 75. Eichmann describes the first trip he took on behalf of Reich Security. He says that Heydrich told him that the Fuehrer ordered the extermination of all Jews. He said that he planned to use the anti-armor trenches dug to prevent Russian assaults in this. He says that he was taken in an unknown direction by someone who was more versed in this topic. Eichmann says that he told Mueller that he was unfit to do such a job, and was answered that a soldier cannot choose his assignment. The tape jumps before all of his lengthy statement can be translated into English. 00:32:34 Session 70. Esther Goldstein testifes, listing the many causes of death that she recorded, hiding the truth, and says that she made up special designations for those shot, because death by shooting could not be listed as a cause of death. According to the record, nobody was shot to death. She says that those who went directly to the gas chambers were not registered, so that it was as though they were never there; there was no recording of them. 00:37:46 Tape jumps. Esther Goldstein is still testifying. She describes some people that she knew and their fates. She is describing the escape of two people by stealing SS uniforms and sneaking out. She says that they were caught by customs officers because they asked for directions. She says that the woman committed suicide via a hidden razorblade during roll call. 00:44:39 Goldstein is asked about registration, saying that beginning in February of 1943, the Jews were no longer registered. 00:46:22 Session 87. The Attorney General Hausner says that he cannot submit a current affidavit because he does not know where the person is and does not intend to search for them. Dr. Servatius objects to the submission, saying that it is by a very young girl right after the war and should not be trusted. Hausner decides that he won't bother the court with it. It is still given a number for evidence. He begins reading another document for submission. This one contains a list of large amounts of items acquired following the transports and given to the Volksdeutche and the German youth. He then reads the lists of items given to fighting units, and the question is raised as to what to do with 30,000 ladies watches. 00:54:23 Tape jumps. Hausner is still submitting documents.
Note(s)
See official transcripts, published in "The Trial of Adolf Eichmann", Vol. I-V, State of Israel, Ministry of Justice, Jerusalem, 1994. Also available online at the Nizkor Project.
Subjects
- EICHMANN, ADOLF
- HEYDRICH, REINHARD
- TRIALS
- DOCUMENTS
- EICHMANN TRIAL
- COURTS/COURTROOMS
- DEPORTATIONS
- MUELLER, HEINRICH
- VICTIMS' PROPERTY
- CONCENTRATION CAMPS
- BOHEMIA/MORAVIA
- GOLDSTEIN, ESTHER
- JEWS
- ITALY
Places
- Jerusalem, Israel
Genre
- Film
- Unedited.