Directing
The spectrum of topics ranges from political history with a focus on contemporary history (especially National Socialism and post-war history) to cultural history and social history. In addition, ZDF-History also regularly deals with pre-modern history, art and cultural history.
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"Hitler's Women" - A six part series about some of the women Hitler enjoyed and adored.
During the Cold War, many of those who tried to flee westward across the dangerous and blurred line separating communist Czechoslovakia from freedom were gunned down: the story of Europe's deadliest border.
He is considered the richest German, yet he is arguably the most mysterious billionaire: Dieter Schwarz. Most people are familiar with his Lidl discount stores, but he himself is regarded as a phantom. Who is behind the discount store empire? How did the corporate group come into being? What is legend, and what is truth? This documentary tells the story of Lidl, which holds a few surprises. A fascinating family portrait. While researching in archives, filmmakers Annebeth Jacobsen and Frank Diederichs came across previously unpublished documents that offer insights into the history of the corporate group and the lives of its family members.
Six million Jews died during World War II, both in the extermination camps and murdered by the mobile commandos of the Einsatzgruppen and police battalions, whose members shot men, women and children, day after day, obediently, as if it were a normal job, a fact that is hardly known today. Who were these men and how could they commit such crimes?
People have always wanted to reach the horizon and go beyond it. It wasn't and isn't just about discovering for the sake of discovering. Exotic goods, wealth and power were the driving forces of these people. The steamship ultimately brought the breakthrough for global mobility and trade. In the past, as now, shipping is the engine of globalization.
When the first railroads were built some two hundred years ago, they brought about a revolutionary change for mankind, linking cities and countryside, driving the industrial revolution and irrevocably changing the landscape: a history of the railroad from its beginnings to the present day.
Little-known events that played a large role in determining the outcome of World War II are revealed in this documentary series.
Germany 1923: Inflation, starvation, unstable political conditions. During this time, 24-year-old Paula Schlier goes undercover at the “Völkischer Beobachter”, the Nazi Party’s official newspaper, and gets caught at the centre of Hitler’s attempted coup.
The heart of Islam beats on the Arabian Peninsula. For there lies Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. Almost 100 years ago, one of the peninsula's many clans founded a kingdom there: Saudi Arabia. The rule of the Al Saud is based on a pact that combined, and still combines, strict religious zeal with political calculation.
Spectacular crimes in German criminal history: Investigators and experts explain the possibilities and limitations of investigative work at that time – and why the cases still amaze today.
Documentary, also known as "Mission to Murder Hitler", chronicling Valkyrie, the true story of a German Resistance group attempting to murder Adolf Hitler.
Emmy Awards nominee for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Research: Multi-faceted portrait of the man who succeeded Lenin as the head of the Soviet Union. With a captivating blend of period documents, newly-released information, newsreel and archival footage and interviews with experts, the program examines his rise to power, deconstructs the cult of personality that helped him maintain an iron grip over his vast empire, and analyzes the policies he introduced, including the deadly expansion of the notorious gulags where he banished so many of his countrymen to certain death.
Part architectural genius, part kitsch fairytale, Neuschwanstein Castle is closely linked to the tragic fate of Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886). The "Mad King" poured his heart and soul into this unique construction which looks back nostalgically to the Middle Ages. A focus on the history of a building filled with dreams and legends which has become an icon of Germany around the world.
For 28 years, the Berlin Wall split a city and a whole nation. While the notorious dangers frightened many GDR citizens, there were others who tried to overcome it. Families fly across the border in a home-made hot air balloon or swing over the Wall hanging from a makeshift pulley. The Wall still works but Communism is crumbling behind it. Suddenly, the borders are open, and the Wall comes down.
At the end of January 1945, Soviet troops liberated the Auschwitz extermination camp. The advance of the Allies brought to light the most horrific crimes committed by Hitler's Germany, and the traces of the machinery of death could no longer be concealed.
