The British Board of Film Censors refused today to issue a certificate for commercial screenings of a film originated in Communist East Germany, purpotedly “proving” that West German State Secretary Hans Globke had been active during the Hitler era as “a prominent Nazi and exterminator of Jews.”
The Board stated in its rejection of the film that the documentary picture seems to have been made “for the purpose of damaging the reputation of an individual.” Plato Films, the East German production firm which made the film, announced it is asking the London City Council for a permit to show the picture in this city.
Dr. Globke, principal aide to West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, has conceded repeatedly that he had written the official commentary on the Nuremberg racist laws which formed the “legal” basis for the Hitler program for the annihilation of Jews. However, he has maintained that, in fact, he had done all he could to help Jews while serving in the Hitler Ministry of the Interior during the war.
Plato Films insists that the picture, entitled “Action J” (meaning Action Jew) shows documentary “proof” of Dr. Globke’s participation in anti-Semitic activities. The film is said to reproduce a replica of the Nazi uniform worn during the Hitler period by Dr. Globke, replete with Nazi decorations and medals.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.