Chris Tarrant: Extreme Railways (2014)

Episode Overview

Chris Tarrant delves into one of the most tragic periods in railway history, examining their involvement in the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. His journey spans three countries, tracing the evolution of the Holocaust from 1935 to 1945, beginning in Nuremberg and culminating at Auschwitz. The documentary methodically outlines the progression, starting with the establishment of anti-Jewish laws alongside the Nazis' ambition to create a powerful railway system. Chris uncovers how thousands of trains were repurposed for deporting millions to ghettos and death camps. He speaks with Holocaust survivors who endured harrowing journeys in cattle cars, sharing their stories of suffering and acts of courage. Additionally, he engages with railway workers and historians who contend that the Holocaust's execution was not preordained and depended heavily on the railway infrastructure built by Hitler.