Blind Spot - Hitler's Secretary

Rating:
Summary: No new insight to this horrific episode of history!
Review: While there is little to add to the numerous reviews already written, I'll add my thoughts anyway. This Film won several awards, including "Best Documentary", at the Chicago International Film Festival, and claims to be, "...riveting, never-before-told story of working along side Hitler...". As an amature historian, with an interest in this particular era, I found nothing in this film that is not already documented in other films, books or other sources--hence, "never-before-told" is just hype. Having said that, to hear it in Frau Junge's own words is an interesting angle seldom seen other places. This is not her first interview, as I have other tapes/DVDs with short comments by her, although the titles escape me at the moment. The point is, my feeling throughout watching this film, was that Frau Junge was attempting, one last time, to ease her conscience. As she died of cancer just months after this was filmed, I only hope she went peacefully.

Was she guilty of anything? Everyone who has made an effort to see this work and has learned anything about Hitler and his era, must make up their own minds what, if any, her contributions were. I have seen or read about many former Hitler associates, party members or not, who have made similar denials. Leni Riefenstahl's defiant refusal to accept any tangible responsibility for her associations with Hitler, documented to some extent in "The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl", and in her writings, came readily to mind as I watched Junge's rationalizations in this DVD. Again, each individual must see this and make up his or her own minds. For that reason alone, I recommend this to anyone interested in the Third Reich and it's consequences.

A previous viewer suggested that film clips and photos, perhaps of Junge in her younger days, would have enhanced the interest level of the film. I agree. There are, indeed, many films, photos, documetaries, etc., etc., already, and another one may have added little, but I think enhancements would have raised the interest level of a basically dry viewing experience. This is not a criticism as much as just a thought for a more interesting viewer experience.

I am glad I bought this DVD and I think it adds a further dimension to my collection and education regarding this period of history. If you are looking for shocking revelations and rare insights--this isn't the answer. Because I expected more and was a bit disappointed, I give it only four stars. I have no doubt whatsoever that Traudl Junge took much more to her grave with her than she ever revealed in this work. Her refusal to say much until, literally, her last days, and really nothing new even then--well, you figure it out.