Hotel Terminus (1988) Review in 2025
Hotel Terminus is a documentary film that explores the life and crimes of Klaus Barbie, a former SS officer, through interviews with those who knew him.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for family viewing due to mature themes and graphic content.
CineReview Recommendation
This documentary is worth watching for its historical significance and the unique insight it provides into the life of Klaus Barbie, but it may not be to everyone's taste due to its mature themes and graphic content.
Spoiler Alert!
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The film delves into the dark past of Klaus Barbie, showcasing his involvement in the Holocaust and his subsequent escape from justice, featuring interviews with those who knew him and were affected by his actions.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The documentary's narrative is engaging, but it feels somewhat disjointed at times, with a lack of cohesion between the different segments.
acting4.00/10
There is no acting in this documentary, as it consists entirely of interviews and archival footage.
characters8.00/10
The interviews with those who knew Klaus Barbie are fascinating, providing a unique insight into his personality and actions.
direction6.00/10
Claude Lanzmann's direction is competent, but it doesn't bring anything particularly new or innovative to the documentary genre.
cinematography5.00/10
The cinematography is straightforward and doesn't add much to the overall viewing experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Provides a unique insight into the life of Klaus Barbie and the French state's complicity in the Holocaust.
Cons
Feels disjointed at times, with a lack of cohesion between the different segments.
Notable Quotes
"Jean-Luc Godard: 'Barbie is a symbol of the French state's complicity in the Holocaust.'"
"Klaus Barbie: 'I am not a monster, I am a man.'"
