The American Experience: America And the Holocaust--Deceit And Indifference

In 1942, the New York Times ran an article about the mass slaughter of Jews occurring in Germany. Although the story was horrific, it was buried on page 10. America and the Holocaust--Deceit and Indifference uncovers a shameful chapter in American history: the role we played, or rather didn't play, in affecting Hitler's "final solution." Anti-Semitic sentiment was strong; a 1939 Roper poll found that 53% of Americans thought Jews were "different" and should be subject to restrictions, while a 1942 public opinion poll on menaces to America listed Jews third (behind Germany and Japan). What is shocking in this 90-minute episode of The American Experience is the fact that the extent of the "exterminations" was not revealed to the American public; in fact, the State Department's Breckinridge Long played an active role in the suppression of information and in the discouragement of a more open immigration policy. Interwoven throughout the film is the personal story of Kurt Klein, a Jewish refugee who tried to save his parents--a tragic tale that should have had more impact than it actually does. There's a fine line between too much polish and too little, and, for me, America and the Holocaust is too slick for its own good. The cry of the victim Klein and the anger of the historians--both perfectly reasonable responses given the revelations concerning America's indifference--should have come from the heart, not from a carefully scripted text. America and the Holocaust is an important story; it's just not particularly well-told. Sure to be popular, especially given the recent release of Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List on video, this is recommended for its information not its style. [Note: Shanachie Entertainment is offering the "home video" version of America and the Holocaust for $19.95.] (R. Pitman)