The Last Days (1998)

The Last Days (1998) is a profoundly moving Holocaust documentary that employs genuine testimonials from survivors to vividly recreate the atrocities and tragedies endured during Hitler's regime. The narrative focuses on the Jews of Hungary, whose lives were irrevocably altered when Germans invaded during the closing days of World War II. The film is narrated by five individuals, all now American citizens, who as young people endured the Holocaust. The documentary follows them as they return to their hometowns, sharing fond childhood memories, the harrowing experiences of deportation to concentration camps, miraculous escapes from execution, liberation, and their eventual journeys to America. Their resilience in building new lives from the ashes of their tumultuous pasts is both uplifting and inspirational. Among the survivors featured are Tom Lantos, the sole Holocaust survivor elected to Congress; Alice Lok Cahana, a renowned artist whose work reflects both the horrors and joys of her life; Rene Firestone, a dedicated educator committed to Holocaust awareness; Bill Basch, a retired fashion industry executive; and Irene Zisblatt, a proud grandmother and successful entrepreneur. Filmed on location in the United States, Europe, and Ukraine, The Last Days (1998) is a cinematic triumph that seamlessly integrates eyewitness accounts, crucial historical footage, and a stirring score by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Presented by Steven Spielberg, Survivors of The Shoah Visual History Foundation, and October Films, the documentary was directed and edited by James Moll and produced by June Beallor and Ken Lipper.