The Restless Conscience

A 1992 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary, Hava Kohav Beller's The Restless Conscience focuses on the anti-Nazi resistance movement in Germany circa 1933-1945. Contrary to the popular belief that few Germans opposed Nazism, the film illustrates both the depth and scope of the national resistance, which included 20-plus attempts to overthrow the Third Reich by violent force. While the resistance operated in all parts of the country, the anti-Hitler factions within the German army were perhaps the most bold in trying to halt the march to war. When a group of officers sent a secret representative to London warning of Hitler's desire to acquire Czechoslovakia—promising that Hitler would be stopped if the British stood up—Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's government dismissed the action as the posturing of traitors and adopted its infamous appeasement policy in 1938, only briefly delaying the start of World War II. The Restless Conscience combines archival footage and rare photographs (providing a grim look at life under the Nazi government) with interviews of surviving resistance leaders who offer eloquent testimony to the will of decent individuals who dare to make a stand against incomprehensible evil. DVD extras include an interview with the filmmaker. A fascinating and inspiring chronicle of an extraordinary chapter in WWII history (released to coincide with the high-profile Tom Cruise vehicle Valkyrie), this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)