‘Final Account’ Review: Harrowing but Vital Documentary

As the years go by and people continue to get older and eventually die, the memories and the stories they experienced become lost forever as well. Documenting their accounts and the histories they lived is our window into the past for future generations. For something as big as World War II and Hitler’s Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, it’s important to hear their stories before there is no one left to tell them. Final Account follows the last living generation of those who were a part of the Third Reich, as both members and civilians, and documents their point of view straight from their own mouths. It’s a harrowing but vital documentary that delivers on its namesake.

Filmed over the course of 10 years, Final Account recounts Hitler’s Third Reich from the people who were directly involved, most as part of the Hitler Youth, and those who were just German citizens but saw what was going on. The documentary is very direct to and to the point in its approach, letting the interview subjects and their stories do most of the talking as they recount their own experiences during that time. Their words are often paired with images or videos from back then, sometimes even showing the keepsakes and documents they still have. What makes Final Account so unnerving, however, is the nonchalant manner in which these people discuss the atrocities that happened.

It’s disturbing because the majority of the people being interviewed show little emotion or remorse over what happened. They tell their experiences to the camera in a very straightforward manner, explaining what happened and what they say. Most of the people who were directly involved with the Third Reich say how it wasn’t them who were committing these crimes themselves or how they were doing just what they were told. It’s interesting that they’re always trying to shift the blame to someone else. Some of the interviews are quite disturbing as you can see their faces light up as they recount a memory as if it’s some wonderful time they had. And some even say that directly, recounting how great an experience they had. It’s downright creepy to hear multiple people still know the words and sing the songs they learned back in the Hitler Youth.

Some people express regret for their actions or inaction, but they’re few and far between, and they often pass the blame onto someone else. The brainwashing that happened was no doubt strong, but at some point you have to take responsibility for your own actions regardless. There’s one man towards the end of the documentary who talks to a bunch of youths about his experiences and regrets, and he’s one of the few people who I truly believe feels bad about what he did. Others say they regret their involvement and such, but say it with such a straight face or start to make excuses that it’s difficult to actually believe them. You can see by their mannerisms that there are only half truths being told. At least, that’s how it feels.

Final Account feels like a necessary viewing. The interviews are extremely dense and can often be disturbing, but they deserve to be told. It’s interesting to hear these people discuss the events that happened and then give their own reasoning behind their actions. It’s worth watching, as difficult as that may be.