The Non Violence International Film Festival 2008

Based on his autobiographical book IN HITLER'S BUNKER, Armin Lehmann provides an unscripted narration in Gary Lester's documentary film EYEWITNESS TO HISTORY. The film offers a fascinating insight into what it was like growing up in the Third Reich.Armin's early childhood days are spent on a bucolic estate in the forest, surrounded by pet animals.By age 10, Armin walks 45 minutes to school every day. By 10, he also joins the Hitler Youth. Not joining would risk a visit by the Gestapo, says Armin. The forest was beginning to lose the appearance of innocence, but Armin would not realize this until much later.By age 16, Armin is already a wounded combat veteran, awarded the Iron Cross for bravery.Then, by a quirk of fate, his life changes forever. Reichjugendfuehrer Artur Axmann chooses Armin to go to Berlin to represent the Hitler Youth at Hitler's 56th -- and last -- birthday reception.Trapped in the bunker area by the rapidly advancing Russians, Armin serves as Hitler's last courier up to the moment of the Fuehrer's suicide. Then, a survival instinct kicks in, and Armin participates in the bloody mass breakout with the remaining bunker personnel.Armin Lehmann delivers a riveting personal eyewitness account of the collapse of the Third Reich from his unique historical vantage point.Director Gary Lester weaves powerful images into the narration and transports the viewer into the dark world that was Nazi Germany.