The Last Days
The Last Days
PG-13 | 23 October 1998 (USA)
The Last Days Trailers

Five Jewish Hungarians, now US citizens, tell their stories: before March 1944, when Nazis began to exterminate Hungarian Jews, months in concentration camps, and visiting childhood homes more than 50 years later. An historian, a Sonderkommando, a doctor who experimented on Auschwitz prisoners, and US soldiers who were part of the liberation in April 1945.

Reviews
CommentsXp Best movie ever!
Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.
Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Michael_Elliott The Last Days (1998) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Haunting, depressing and hard to watch documentary from director James Moll has five Hungarian Jews talking about their time before, during and after being placed in concentration camps at the end of WWII as Hitler was in the last days of murdering as many people as he could. THE LAST DAYS picked up the Best Documentary Oscar and there's no question that it's a very powerful movie, perfectly put together to show the horrors of these camps. Through the interviews and archival footage, most people will probably want to avoid this film simply because of how graphic the photos are and there's no question that it's incredibly depressing. Yes, there's a bit a hope thrown in for the inspiration to survive but this really doesn't take away the haunting images that we're shown. There are several times throughout the film that the five people break down crying while telling their stories and it really makes you wonder what it would be like having to go through life with these graphic images constantly in your head. Seeing people shot, burned to death, melt down into skeletons and worse is just something that no one should have to go through life witnessing and then having to live with. Another interesting segment deals with the eventual rescue by the American troops. We get to see some interviews with those troops and hearing their stories of being shocked were also very heartbreaking. I thought director Moll did a terrific job at taking all the stories and editing them together just as if the story was being told by one person. THE LAST DAYS isn't an easy film to watch as some of the images are just horrible but for history buffs it's a must see.
allaboutthefamily As far as documentaries go this one was informative and fast paced enough to keep you interested. I felt that the selection of vintage footage was right on the mark, along with *most* of the people they interviewed (it seemed kind of pointless to make the old lady go back to the refugee camp*brick factory* and cry, i don't feel it added anything to the story, plus she was not a very good interview). I think it gives us a good look into what things were like at that time, although the viewpoint is obviously biased. That is not to say i wish to trivialize the experience of the survivors, but it seemed odd that they sat the doctor, who had helped the Jews survive the holocaust by enlisting them in harmless tests, next to the old woman and practically let her attack him (an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind). The directing in the movie was nothing spectacular, as no great symbolism existed in many of the key shots, such as the survivors going back to visit the camps, but the work was solid although not artistic (which is par for most all documentaries). In the end this documentary relies upon the fact that it has a subject matter that sells, just as if i were to plunk down 30 million dollars and make a documentary about 9/11 a bunch of people would be on here saying it was the "best movie ever". no offense but subject matter does not a movie make. In conclusion i say if your looking for a documentary on the holocaust from a perspective of (polish?) Jews then this is your man, if you want to see a better story from the holocaust see schindlers list and if you want the whole story read a lot and goto the Museum of tolerance in either LA or NYC.
campsongsent This is a movie of great historical,human value. The stories are presented in such a way that you have time to think about what you are seeing. I have a book which is a kind of companion piece to this movie ( it recommends seeing this film) - The Holocaust Chronicle. The Last Days brings to life the men and women on the pages of that book. The pain, the sorrow and suffering of a people who only wanted to live their lives and were only given hatred and scorn. To see how they have prospered is truly inspiring. The men and women who braved the worst scourges of the Nazi's should be shown in every high school world wide. This must never happen again. How fortunate the world is to have such brave, determined individuals in it. A must see for everyone. Bring plenty of tissues to the TV. You'll need them.
allfunandgames An absolutely unforgettable documentary and one that should be seen by everyone. The Holocaust images and portrayals that are put forward on screen will remain with you forever and are at times equally emotionally devastating and inspiring. Truly a life-altering film experience. Recommended.9/10