Eichmann Trial -- Session 75 -- Eichmann's testimony
Creator(s)
- Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive
- J. Jonilowicz (Camera Operator)
- F. Csaznik (Camera Operator)
- J. Kalach (Camera Operator)
- Rolf M. Kneller (Camera Operator)
- Emil Knebel (Camera Operator)
- Leo Hurwitz (Director)
- Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation (Producer)
- 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
The footage begins in the middle of Session 75 with the defense's submission of documents. The first document concerns Eichmann's dismissal from the Austrian Vacuum Oil Company. The defense attempts to show that he was released not because of his membership in the NSDAP but because of his marital status. Eichmann is questioned by defense attorney Dr. Robert Servatius about another document recognizing him as a "specialist." Eichmann states that this designation referred to his experience in the field of emigration (00:06:16). The footage cuts out from 00:06:46 to 00:06:57 then resumes with a repetition of the question posed by Servatius and the beginning of Eichmann's answer. Servatius presents more documents and the footage cuts out again, skipping a small part of the proceedings. Servatius questions Eichmann about a document describing a trip Eichmann took to Palestine with Oberscharfuehrer Hagen, which Eichmann insists was drafted by Hagen and not himself. Herbert Hagen was a colleague of Eichmann's within the Gestapo's Department of Jewish Affairs. There is some confusion with the next document, as to whether the words were quoted from British Ambassador Kennedy or German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. The defense moves on to another document which dealt with the "Madagascar Plan" and the bureaucratic problems in the implementation of mass emigration (00:20:03) part of which is duplicated on Tape 2098 (at 00:00:51). Eichmann explains the role of Hinckel, the Reich cultural administrator in the Reich Ministry of Propaganda, in the promotion of Jewish emigration (00:35:24). This segment is also duplicated on Tape 2098 (at 00:07:27) and Tape 2099 (at 00:16:34). Servatius presents another document illustrating why Eichmann had indicated Madagascar as an emigration option (00:36:48). This is also duplicate footage found on Tape 2099 (at 00:16:45). The footage ends with the presentation by the defense of a document expressing a "willingness to accommodate" the emigration of Jews by the British and suggests that the reason it did not happen was due to Ribbentrop's negative attitude towards emigration. Servatius reads from the document in English (00:45:09). This section is duplicated on Tape 2098 (at 00:09:09). The following documents are marked and submitted to the court as evidence during this session: T37 (217): Dr. Alfred Six recommends Eichmann for promotion; T37 (106): Eichmann's career membership in the NSDAP, his promotion as an expert in emigration, table of his assignments; T37 (301) and (107): determination of wheterh Eichmann is qualified to head a department.
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
- TRIALS
- SERVATIUS, ROBERT
- HALEVI, BENJAMIN
- EICHMANN TRIAL
- DOCUMENTS
- JUDGES
- PROSECUTORS
- WAR CRIMINALS/WAR CRIMES TRIALS
- EICHMANN, ADOLF
- COURTS/COURTROOMS
- WITNESSES
- LANDAU, MOSHE
Places
- Jerusalem, Israel
Genre
- Unedited.
- Film