Reel History
It came with a deal. A promise I have kept for nearly a lifetime.
My father was an antique gun dealer, mostly items from World War II. In his collection of guns and rare artifacts, I was given something very unique. A one-of-a-kind, original 16mm home movie of Adolph Hitler. A rare glimpse into the life of a tyrant during the height of his reign of terror. A couple of years before dad died, he gave me that film - but not before he felt that I fully understood the magnitude of Hitler's horrific dictatorship, and his annihilation of two-thirds of the European Jewry. I promised dad that no matter what I do with the film, I will never glorify the man who redefined evil. I also promised to never let the film fall into the hands of someone who does not believe the same.
Mission Accomplished
It was in May 1945 in the Berghof, Hitler’s home in the Bavarian Alps town of Berchtesgaden. A good friend of my father is among the first U.S soldiers to enter the Fuhrer’s home. A member of the 101st Airborn unit, Special Intelligence Group, the unit finds the Eagles Nest in ruins. Once rumored to house piles of gold bars, there is none to be found. Also gone is the more obvious items of value. And, the Germans. There is no one inside. Soldiers grab what they can, items they hope will make it back to the states, through the mail or personal transport. My father’s friend mailed back his treasures from Switzerland.
The Journal
My father kept a detailed hand-written journal for me. The pages spell out how he came to purchase this film, but more importantly, the historical significance the recorded image contains. The journal relives the war experience of his friend, TEC. 3 SIG C US Army Officer Frederick C. Leffingwell. It was May of 1945, and Leffingwell spent days inside the Eagles Nest. Leffingwell was a military communications expert, and according to dad's journal, his role crucial as the US Army set up a new command and communications post inside. History details many stories of US soldiers gathering items of personal interest, and Leffingwell is one of them. He sent back to the US at least 20 German gauges and meters, a Walther P-38, a letter opener, cigarette lighter, pen and pencil set – and, this single reel of 16mm film. The film was in top desk drawer of Hitler's personal writing desk. It sat next to Hitler's pistol. The journal continues with a description of Hitler’s bombed out bunker. A door that lead from Hitler's office into a projection room, or small movie theater. That's where Leffingwell says he found the wooden box he used to mail everything back to the US. The journal says he had hoped the box would make it safely. It did.
A Historian Revealed
AGFA Safety film is said to be one of the most durable and resistant types of film created. To the naked eye, this 60 year old home movie on AGFA Safety film, looks to be in mint condition. I have never watched the film. The only people who have are not alive today. Because of that, travelling through history to investigate the film's content has been difficult, but not impossible. Through my research, I have been called on as an expert in Third Reich collectibles. In October of this year, I was invited to travel to Glasgow University, the fourth oldest University in the UK, to present an oral history on the subject as a special guest speaker. I'm thinking I'd really like to go.
The Film
20 minutes in length, captured in black and white, with audio. It is believed to be a home movie of the Wound Badge Ceremony held September 2, 1944 inside the Eagles Nest. The medal is the most rare accommodation ever awarded by Adolph Hitler. The medal was only issued to a handful of officers and aides who were injured during that famous, and failed, assassination attempt at the Wolf’s Lair in Rastenburg, East Prussia, July 20, 1944. Twenty-four individuals were present when the bomb detonated. Twenty-one survived. If my 30 years of research is correct - my film is that Wound Badge Ceremony. Held inside the Eagles Nest, the award ceremony is followed by a dinner party and celebration. It is less than two months after the attempt on his life, and the injury to the right side of Hitler's body is obvious. Benito Mussolini is a special guest at this event. Dressed in civilian clothing, his presence adds a new element to the film. Here's why: history books have recorded only 17 times when Hitler and Mussolini are believed to have spent time together. What I can't confirm is if this is one of those times, or the 18th?
What's Next
I read with interest an article last month published nationwide of a WWII Vet auctioning off a globe that once belonged to Hitler. It hits the auction block in San Francisco in mid November. That brings me to my own piece of history. That same auction house handling the sale of the globe has contacted me, with an interest in additional information. I could have the film hit the auction block in 2008. And that could time out well with the 2008 release of Valkyrie, the movie starring Tom Cruise stars as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, the man who led an assassination plot on Hitler's life.
For now, this film sits in the same safety deposit box where it's been in for the past 50 years. The history books have been written. I'll let you know if I can add a new page.
As always, I enjoy hearing from you! Email me anytime at Pat.VanZandt@wsee.tv
If you're a historian like me, and are interested in more information, feel free to drop me a line.
The house has been renovated to look like it did in the movie. While that's all nice and good, we traveled an hour and a half for one thing and one thing only: that glowing beauty of a leg lamp.