Six million people were executed by the Hitler and his Nazi cronies during the second World War. Many countries tried to help and a few major powers did indirectly but with little direct involvement until their interests were threatened. A TV event when it first aired in 1978 with terrific writing/direction and a strong cast, "Holocaust" made television history with its high ratings but, more importantly, the makers approached the topic with respect but didn't let that prevent them from presenting a powerful, searing drama. "Holocaust" follows the impact of the Nazi slaughter of the Jews by focusing on a single family as its focal point-the Weiss family (Joseph Bottoms, Rosemary Harris, Sam Wanamaker,James Woods, Meryl Streep, Fritz Weaver). Their story is contrasted with that of another family headed by Eric Dorf (Michael Moriarty) who is a high ranking aide in the Nazi party to Reinhard Heydrich (David Warner) the head of Hitler's SS unit. Directed by Marvin J. Chomsky and written by Gerald Green ("Fatal Judgment") the TV movie may have a slower pace than what contemporary audiences are used to but it has lost none of its emotional power. This Emmy and Golden Globe winner is presented over three discs in this boxed set. ***

Considering the importance of the Holocaust in history (although it wasn't the first time genocide had been attempted it had never been attempted on this scale before) and the complicity of the German people (and, to a lesser extent, the Western world who, with the exception of England, didn't become involved in World War II until their own interests were threatened), I'm this is an important TV movie equal to some theatrical films because of the depth that the TV film tries to investigate the horrors of visited upon Jews, Gypsies and others who fit the racial/sexual profile of undesirable in Germany and any other country that the Nazi's conquered. I think it's great that CBS/ Paramount has released a 30th Anniversary Edition to celebrate the original broadcast of the show but feel that they should have done more with what they had.

"Holocaust" looks mediocre at best. The images are a bit soft and colors have faded a bit but overall CBS/Paramount. It appears that the original videotape master might have been used here for the transfer vs. the original film elements. There's quite a bit of mosquito noise evident in the video as well. Paramount has been doing quite a good job lately in bringing quality TV shows to DVD this isn't one of them. Perhaps this is the best source available at this time if so CBS/Paramount should note that on the box. ***

Audio sounds solid as well with a nice mono soundtrack focusing on the dialog. ---

Special Features:

Sadly there are none. A featurette on the show's impact or an excerpt from the 1979 Emmy Telecast where the show raked in awards for the DGA for Outstanding Achievement in Specials/Movies for TV, plus the Emmys for editing, direction, costume designs, lead actor (Michael Moriarty), lead actress (Meryl Streep), Limited Series, supporting actress (Blache Baker) and writing. ***

Evidently when the show first aired on German television the police in many cities received calls from folks watching the show. They wanted to confess that they had participate in a historical moment presented in the show when the windows of synagogues and Jewish owned businesses had their windows smashed and buildings set on fire. The statue of limitations had run out so no one was charged. It was still a pretty powerful reaction that could have been represented by historical footage and the original broadcast on German TV announcing it. Also, since the term Holocaust didn't exist in the German language until the after the show was aired, it would be fair to examine the impact of the show on German culture of the time. ***

Although its 30 years later, a featurette on the impact of the show and how it helped shape further mini-series and helped the careers of the various actors wouldn't be out of place. Perhaps we'll see something of this sort on the Blu-Ray. Hey guys, I'll do it for you! ---

Final Words: