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U.S. Military Decides Against Exhibiting in America Film Depicting Nazi Brutalities

September 29, 1949
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Military authorities have definitely decided against releasing the anti-Nazi film “Nuerenberg–Its Lesson for Today” for exhibition in American theatres, an Army spokesman declared here today. The movie, produced by the U.S. Army to tell the public the incriminating story of the crimes committed by the Nazis against humanity, is considered a powerful indictment against anti-Semitism.

The film was irrefutably documented by captured Nazi films of the organized mass murder of Jews. The official explanation offered by the Army for suppression of the documentary is that it is outdated, technically imperfect and contains too much horror. However, prominent quarters in Washington are charging that the Army fears criticism of the failure of its denazification program and is afraid of stirring up public opinion in view of new occupation policies which provide for the return of Nazis to respectability.

Under-Secretary of the Army Tracy Voorhies has said that a public showing would be “inconsistent” with the Army’s occupation program. It has been indicated also, from sources within the government, that renewed public resentment of Nazism might interfere with Army and State Department plans for the new West German State.

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