The Ratline
The Nazi Escape Route through South Tyrol
SCRIPTWRITER AND DIRECTOR Karin Duregger
CAMERA Jochen Unterhofer
EDITOR Michael Schubert
PRODUCER Peter Thomsen
FORMAT HDTV 16:9
LENGTH 45:49 min
PRODUCED 2014/15
COMPLETED 2015
A CO-PRODUCTION OF ORF, BMBF and Wega Film
SUPPORTED BY Business Location South Tyrol
Synopsis
This documentary focuses upon the actions of a large number of leading Nazis in the dying days of the Third Reich. When the Second World War had been lost, these individuals adopted escape plans focusing on one particular region: South Tyrol.
Like Adolf Eichmann, the main organiser of the Holocaust, and Martin Bormann, one of Adolf Hitler's closest associates, many of the officials high up in the Nazi hierarchy travelled along the route through the Dolomites. It became known as the Ratline.
This production draws upon the results of the latest research and accompanies a great-granddaughter of Martin Bormann as she studies the trail. Writer and director Karin Duregger has tracked down half a dozen contemporary witnesses and travels with them to the ancient locations.
