LibGuides: Polish Studies: Multimedia Resources

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Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland: Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp The fortified walls, the barbed wire, the platforms, the barracks, the gallows, the gas chambers and the cremation ovens all bear witness to the conditions within which the Hitlerian genocide took place in the former concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most extensive of the Third Reich. Four million people, among them a great number of Jews, were systematically starved, tortured and murdered in this camp, symbol of the cruelty of man to his fellow men in the 20th century. (12:25 min.)
Death Camp Treblinka: Survivor Stories The extermination camp of Treblinka was created by the Nazis to eliminate the huge captive Jewish population in occupied Poland and beyond. In a frenzy of mass murder lasting less than two years, as many as 900,000 Jewish men women and children, including the inhabitants of the Warsaw ghetto, were murdered in this tiny camp hidden deep in the woods. No one liberated Treblinka—to be a survivor you had to fight your way out. In August 1943, a few hundred slave laborers did so, and today only two witnesses remain: Samuel Willenberg and Kalman Taigman. Revealing their powerful testimonies, this important film sheds powerful new light on Treblinka and documents their remarkable histories after the atrocities as they continued to lead extraordinary lives; Willenberg became a hero of the 1944 Warsaw uprising, while Taigman was a witness in the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the major architects of the Final Solution. A BBC Production. (58:43 min.)
Histories of the Holocaust Dachau. Buchenwald. To this day those names cause a shiver—grisly reminders of Hitler's efforts to rid Nazi Germany of "undesireables." This four-part series takes a close look at the history of those camps, from construction to liberation and beyond.
The Holocaust The Holocaust, the mass destruction of more than 6 million Jewish lives during World War II, has the sort of gravity that few other topics do. This four-part series explores the significance of the Holocaust across time, from its beginnings to the modern day, with the respect and sensitivity that it deserves. Essential viewing, history students will find it to be comprehensive in coverage, if challenging in subject.
Memory After Belsen: The Future of Holocaust Memory Memory After Belsen does not attempt to explain the historic Holocaust. Rather, the film is about themes and tensions in Holocaust memory — the challenges and often conflicting perspectives on how the Holocaust is taught and remembered. (1:15:47)

Kraków, Poland: Poland’s Secret Capital
The Historic Center of Kraków, the former capital of Poland, is situated at the foot of the Royal Wawel Castle. The 13th-century merchants' town has Europe's largest market square and numerous historical houses, palaces and churches, with their magnificent interiors. Further evidence of the town's fascinating history is provided by the remnants of the 14th-century fortifications and the medieval site of Kazimierz, with its ancient synagogues in the southern part of town, Jagellonian University and the Gothic cathedral where the kings of Poland are buried. (12:35 min.)
Warsaw's Old City, Poland
During the Warsaw Uprising in August 1944, more than 85% of Warsaw's historic center was destroyed by Nazi troops. After the war, a 5-year reconstruction campaign by its citizens resulted in today's meticulous restoration of the Old Town, with its churches, palaces and marketplace. It is an outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century. (12:43 min.)

Great Writers: Joseph Conrad
Joseph Conrad, 1857-1924, born in Ukraine of Polish nobility as Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, moved to England early in his life. Fascinated by the sea, he spent many years as a sailor with the Merchant Marines. The memories of his voyages provided background for his works written in his adopted language, English. He is best known for "Heart of Darkness," the inspiration behind the film 'Apocalyspe Now,' but his other works include masterpieces like "Nostromo," "Typhoon," "Lord Jim," "The Nigger of the Narcissus," "Youth," and "Almayer's Folly." His anti-heroes and psychological realism influenced modern writers who followed him. (46:39 min.)

Bartok, Shostakovich, Lutoslawski: Three Journeys Through Dark Landscapes
This program examines the effect of political upheaval in Eastern Europe on the music of Bartók, Shostakovich, and Lutoslawski. We see how the composers, in spite of adverse political pressures, managed to develop their own musical language in such works of triumphant originality and power as Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4, Lutoslawsky’s Venetian Games, and others. (52 minutes)
Frederic Chopin
Inspired by Paganini’s dedication to a soloist instrument, the violin, Chopin decided early in his career to write only for piano. This beautifully produced program presents a biography of the Polish-born child prodigy and composer who blended Slavic influences into his works. Sketches, paintings, and cinematic treatments of Chopin and his times complement the music. Archival footage includes Arthur Rubinstein, Alexis Weissenberg, and Byron Janis discussing Chopin’s genius, as well as numerous excerpts of historical performances by Rubinstein, Janis, Victoria Postnikova, Witold Malcuzynski, Martha Argerich, and Samson François. (27 minutes)

YouTube Videos

welcome to this video in our series of stepping deep into the details of the countries that populate the globe! Today we find ourselves in the fascinating if dark Poland! It's a heck of a place - strap in! (33:29 min.)

Torn for centuries between East and West, often a victim of fate, Poland has always been able to overcome adversity. Pierre Brouwers set out with his cameras to discover the traces of the fascinating History and many facets of this country full of surprises. This captivating reportage is the portrait of a Poland in transformation and its people, eager to make up for lost time. (52:26 min.)

The history of Poland spans over a thousand years, from medieval tribes, Christianization and monarchy; through Poland's Golden Age, expansionism and becoming one of the largest European powers; to its collapse and partitions, two world wars, communism, and the restoration of democracy. (2:05;10)

Infobase Films on Demand Series

Each video series covers a range of topics within the subject theme they can vary in number of Film Titles, Film length and copyright currency.

Harmonics: The Innovators of Classical Music Once in a while a composer comes along who changes the very way music is made. This series of portraits tells the stories of the great composers by focusing on the innovations they brought to their art. Each program draws on a wealth of archival material, historical accounts, contributions from renowned musicologists, and world-class performers to chart the musical milestones in each composer’s career. Among the interpreters who play, sing, or conduct in the series are Arthur Rubinstein, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Luciano Pavarotti, Karl Richter, Mischa Maisky, Klaus Tennstedt, José Van Dam, Dame Janet Baker, and Glenn Gould. 10-part series, 27 minutes each.
The Music of the 20th Century: Leaving Home Performances led by Britain’s renowned conductor Sir Simon Rattle have won their share of critical acclaim and international awards. Now, go with Rattle—dedicated champion of modern music—and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on an exhilarating journey through the world of 20th-century orchestral music. See how composers from Mahler to Stravinsky to Turnage left old musical foundations behind in their search for new musical expression. The range of the music is wide—30 composers in all—and represents an extraordinary kaleidoscope of orchestral images. Some sounds will seem new, some familiar. All represent the pinnacle of 20th-century musical genius. 7-part series, 52 minutes each.
Treasures of the World: Central and Eastern Europe Since 1972, hundreds of natural and cultural sites across the globe have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. With a focus on central and eastern Europe, this series communicates important stories about the heritage of humankind through images of unparalleled vividness, conveying the most significant information about select sites while also capturing their spirit.