Since the early 1920s, many Jewish people living in Northern Europe saw the writing on the wall. Between Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch and his appointment to chancellor a decade later, thousands of Jewish families left Germany, Austria, and Poland for the safer shores of England, the US, Palestine, or elsewhere. By 1940, many of the children who left Europe to flee the Nazis were adults ready to help with the war effort. About Face interviews a handful of Jewish refugees who returned to the lands of their birth as liberators or helped with the war effort in non-combat roles.
Pitched as a sort of “real Inglorious Basterds,” About Face is a bit low budget and dry, not quite reaching the heights of excitement the promotional materials present. With appropriate expectations, however, viewers will find a cromulent documentary about a unique piece of World War II history. The production is low budget, but skillful editing and expert use of archival footage help to set the scene and tell these veterans’ stories. I especially enjoyed how the veterans were all able to speak for themselves with editing that helped to clarify and contextualize what they were saying: It’s difficult to find a documentary that strikes such a good balance between form and content these days. About Face: The Story of the Jewish Refugee Soldiers of World War II would be an excellent addition to history shelves in any library. Consider this title especially highly if your collection serves a college with a thriving history department; you’ll see frequent classroom use of this documentary. Highly Recommended.
Which library audiences should see this World War II Jewish refugee documentary?
About Face: The Story of the Jewish Refugee Soldiers of World War II would be a strong fit for libraries serving patrons interested in World War II history, Jewish history, or refugee narratives. Its focus on individuals who fled Europe and later returned as part of the war effort offers a compelling and lesser-known perspective that complements more familiar WWII documentaries. This documentary is especially well suited for academic libraries or public libraries with robust history collections, where patrons are often looking for niche or underrepresented stories within well-covered historical periods. While its low-budget presentation and relatively dry tone may not appeal to casual viewers, those with a specific interest in the subject matter will appreciate its depth, clarity, and firsthand accounts.
Is this documentary a good choice for film clubs or academic programming?
Yes, particularly for academic programming or discussion groups focused on history, war studies, or Jewish studies. The film’s emphasis on firsthand testimony and its thoughtful balance between archival footage and interviews make it a useful resource for classroom screenings or structured discussions. It may not have the cinematic flair or narrative excitement of higher-budget WWII documentaries, but its strength lies in its content and perspective. For film clubs, it works best in settings where the goal is discussion and education rather than entertainment, offering a meaningful look at a unique group of individuals whose contributions are often overlooked.
Xenon Pictures
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