The Rape of Europa - A-

On DVD (2007). Not Rated, 117 minutes. Trailer.

The spectre of World War II and the impact of the Nazis in Europe has been documented over and over on film. The Rape of Europa offers a new and compelling chapter to the canon - the impact on the continent's art. Usually only receiving a passing reference, the impact of the War on Western Civilization's greatest art was devastating. This documentary tells the story of how the art was protected, destroyed, or pillaged - all in powerful style. Click below for more on EUROPA:

The film considers the role of fine art in the collective conscious of civilized society and what that means in the face of battle. Do you bomb a building containing the world's greatest art if it will save 1 life? 2 lives? Why are people who ordinarily don't care about fine art suddenly feel compelled to protect it?

The film has lots of great archival photos and video that I have never seen before, including lots on Leningrad and the great thief (among other sins) Herman Goerring. This is a very interesting film on its surface and also for its meditations on the role of art in the world.