Eichmann Trial -- Session 75 -- Eichmann's testimony

Identifier
irn1001740
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1999.A.0087
  • RG-60.2100.098
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • English
  • German
  • Hebrew
Source
EHRI Partner

Creator(s)

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 video begins in the middle of Session 75 with Eichmann testifying that there were bureaucratic problems which hindered attempts at mass emigration of the Jews. Eichmann goes on to explain the role of Hinckel, the Reich cultural administrator in the Reich Ministry of Propaganda, in the promotion of Jewish emigration (00:07:27). This entire segment duplicates footage found on Tape 2096 (beginning around 00:28:45). After a cut, the footage resumes with some confusion about the next document to be presented. Defense attorney Dr. Robert Servatius reads from a document (in English) which indicates that the British were open to negotiations about emigration, but that German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop was unwilling to let the Jews keep their property and capital (00:12:24). This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2096 (at 00:41:07). The footage cuts (00:14:57) to another section in the proceedings. Eichmann discusses the establishment of Department IVB4, of which he was the head. He describes it as a special division that was incorporated into a larger hierarchy and dissolved once its assignment had been completed. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2097 (at 00:54:54) and Tape 2099 (at 00:27:56). Servatius presents a document which shows the incorporation of the special division into a general establishment (00:17:16). Eichmann then describes the expansion of his division so that it dealt not only with "emigration and evacuation" but all Jewish Affairs (00:22:21). Eichmann describes the role of his superior, Müller, as Department Chief (00:32:41). This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2099 (at 00:32:51). The German description given by Eichmann is complete but the English translation is not. The footage cuts before the full English translation is given (00:35:06). The footage resumes with an overhead shot of the courtroom as the judges exit through a side door. There is a medium shot of the prosecution table and a shot of Eichmann collecting his documents and being escorted out of the booth. Servatius and an unidentified woman are shown. The camera moves to an overhead shot of the courtroom behind the audience showing people standing and leaving the room followed by more scenes of the courtroom at different angles. The scene fades out.

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

Places

Genre

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