The Reichstag Fire

Berlin, February 27, 1933. The Reichstag is in flames. A young Dutch unemployed man, Marinus van der Lubbe, was found alone in the building. For Hitler, it was a plot by the "Reds". One hundred thousand communists and sympathizers were arrested during the night and in the days that followed and locked up in the first Nazi concentration camps. In March, the Chancellor obtained full powers. On September 21, the trial opened in Leipzig, broadcast on the radio. For the Nazis and the Communists alike, van der Lubbe was the perfect scapegoat. On December 23, 1933, he was sentenced to death, while his four co-defendants were acquitted.

Release Date

February 27, 2023

Status

Released

Original Title

L'Incendie du Reichstag : Quand la démocratie brûle

Runtime

1h 30min

Budget

Revenue

Language

French

Production Companies

CinétévéARTE