Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with KPBS Passport!
In 1931, the Olympics were awarded to Berlin to be held in 1936. However, Germany would be a very different place in the ensuing five years. Adolf Hitler had risen to power and the Nazis eagerly grasped the propaganda opportunity the Olympics represented. The scale of the 1936 games would amaze the world and begin Olympic traditions that continue to this day. Although some at the time tried to organize boycotts, all too few saw the rotting truth behind the slick façade.
“Hitler’s Olympics” tells the complete story of the 1936 Berlin games – the early plans, the Nazi takeover, the purge of Jews from German athletics and the grand spectacle itself.
The documentary features exclusive interviews with 101-year-old Margaret Lambert, the top German high jumper excluded from the games for her Jewish identity; and Captain Eric “Winkle” Brown, who recalls visiting the games as a 17-year-old to watch Jesse Owens, the fastest man on earth whose achievements so infuriated Hitler.
"Hitler's Olympics" is available to stream now with KPBS Passport, a benefit for members supporting KPBS at $60 or more yearly, using your computer, smartphone, tablet, Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast. Learn how to activate your benefit now.
Credits: Acquired by American Public Television from 3D Entertainment for syndication to public television stations nationwide.
