The Rape of Europa - now on DVD

I'd love to be an artist too, but you don't see me getting rejected and deciding to take over the world!  To think WWII could've been prevented if a brooding, psychopathic young artist was validated by an art teacher with a gold star next to his drawings.  To the world's misfortune, Adolf Hitler was rejected from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts and the rest is history.

One of the most interesting documentaries I've seen in a long time, The Rape of Europa chronicles the pillaging and destruction of art by the Nazis in WWII, and the efforts to save and rescue it.  We're all quite familiar with the atrocities against humanity committed by the Nazis, but less so about their effect on European art and culture.  If you have any interest in WWII history and fine art, most likely you'll learn something from, and be riveted by, this documentary.

As far as documentaries go I think this is a great one, but much of that is due to the rich subject matter.  Not to spoil anything, but just think - they say it takes a full week to see everything in the Louvre.  How long would it take to evacuate every work of art in the entire Museum?  Chew on that.


If you're not a history or art buff, you'll be done in five minutes.  The average age of the movie's interviewees is about 80, so at times it does have the feel of visiting a nursing home.  But thank goodness for us, everyone's taken their medications and are on point with what they have to say...if you can focus long enough for them to get it out.  Even with an interest in the subject matter, a few times I had to tell myself, "focus...focus...come on now, focus."  

Actress Joan Allen's narration of the documentary doesn't help this much.  I was really excited to learn she narrated the film, until I put the DVD in and listened to her trying to lullaby me to sleep.  Remember that old art show on PBS with the guru of all frizzed out hair, Bob Ross?  Remember how his soothing voice was as he talked about painting "happy trees?"  Remember how you used to watch him to fall asleep?  Joan Allen sometimes has a similar effect in this one.

So yes this documentary isn't going to keep you on the edge of your couch gripping the cushions in excitement and anticipation, but it still has enough fascinating stories for several Hollywood blockbusters.  In fact, I came out of it with at least one myself.  If you're a WWII history buff looking for something a little less gory and more factually accurate than  Inglorious Bastards, try The Rape of Europa on for size.  You won't be disappointed.  You won't like Nazis any better, but at least you won't have to watch the movie squinting through your fingers.  I toiled with the rating for this one, but have confidently settled on a strong DO A MATINEE!

Check the trailer out and see if it's the right fit.