Eichmann Trial -- Session 88 -- Cross-examination of the Accused
Creator(s)
- Leo Hurwitz (Director)
- Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive
- F. Csaznik (Camera Operator)
- Emil Knebel (Camera Operator)
- Rolf M. Kneller (Camera Operator)
- J. Kalach (Camera Operator)
- Milton Fruchtman (Producer)
- J. Jonilowicz (Camera Operator)
- Capital Cities Broadcasting Corporation (Producer)
Biographical History
Emil Knebel was a cinematographer known for Andante (2010), Adam (1973), and Wild Is My Love (1963). He was one of the cameramen who recorded daily coverage of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem (produced by Capital Cities Broadcasting Corp and later held academic positions in Israel and New York teaching filmmaking at universities. Refer to CV in file.
Scope and Content
The footage begins in the middle of Session 88. Eichmann, under direct examination, answers the question posed by Servatius about whether he talked to Theo Grell of the Foreign Office about the number of Jews being exterminated. Servatius asks Eichmann to comment on Grell's recollection that Eichmann said he had six million deaths on his conscience. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2117 (at 00:59:17) and Tape 2119 at (00:00:37). The footage resumes later in the session with cross-examination by Attorney General Gideon Hausner. Judge Landau warns Eichmann that he must answer Hausner's questions. Hausner asks the accused whether he believes that he was an accomplice to the murder of the Jews (00:10:49) and about his statement that he would have gladly jumped into his grave knowing that five million Jewish enemies of the Reich had already died (00:17:49). Part of this footage appears on Tape 2121 (at 00:50:23) and Tape 2123 (at 00:00:43). There is audio interference throughout this section, which makes parts of the tape hard to understand. Continued discussion of Eichmann's feelings about the murder of five million Jews. Hausner is visibly agitated at Eichmann's insufficient answers and he yells at the accused to give complete answers to his questions. Hausner asks Eichmann if he regarded the Jews as enemies of the Reich (00:24:36). This footage is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2123. The audio on this part of the tape is incomplete. Hausner asks Eichmann why he went into hiding after the war and whether he considered himself a war criminal. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2123 (at 00:32:21) but is less complete on Tape 2120 and more complete on Tape 2123. A small part of the session is missing and footage resumes with Hausner asking the accused about the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg and whether he believes that the sentences handed down at the trial were just (00:35:00). Hausner asks Eichmann if he has always been a strong anti-Semite. This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2123 (at 00:40:30) and is more complete on Tape 2123. A large part of the proceedings is missing. Hausner asks the accused if in 1937 he considered the Jews enemies. Judge Landau ends the session (00:40:01). This is duplicate footage also found on Tape 2122 (at 00:19:29).
Note(s)
See official transcripts, published in "The Trial of Adolf Eichmann", Vol. I-V, State of Israel, Ministry of Justice, Jerusalem, 1994. Also available online at the Nizkor Project.
Subjects
- JUDGES
- DOCUMENTS
- TRIALS
- EICHMANN TRIAL
- PROSECUTORS
- SERVATIUS, ROBERT
- EICHMANN, ADOLF
- COURTS/COURTROOMS
Places
- Jerusalem, Israel
Genre
- Unedited.
- Film