The Decent One

A documentary that uses a cache of letters, diaries and documents to reveal the life of SS-leader Heinrich Himmler.

How can a film about Heinrich Himmler be bland? A documentary that explores his personal life, mixed with his professional life, ought to flesh out a very interesting individual. And to some degree it does, but presents the story in as bland and boring a way as possible, with nothing but voice-overs of letters and other documents. No experts reflecting on the importance of any of it.

Students of Himmler or World War II may enjoy this, and learn something new about this man. His strong distaste for homosexuals is interesting, for example. But presented like this, out of context, it remains lacking.