Hôtel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie
At a glance
Hôtel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie is a 1988 documentary directed and produced by Marcel Ophuls. It follows Klaus Barbie, a Nazi war criminal, from his childhood and his work with the Gestapo in Lyon through the decades after World War II, ending with his deportation from Bolivia to face trial in France for crimes against humanity. The film examines the nature of evil and how responsibility can become dispersed within hierarchies. Its subject includes war and the Holocaust. The 267-minute film is in English and is listed as a production of The Samuel Goldwyn Company. It was made across the United States, France and Germany, and received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. For viewers studying the Holocaust, wartime history or questions of responsibility, the film offers a lengthy account spanning Barbie's life and the events leading to his trial.
Who it is for
It suits viewers interested in the Holocaust, war history and the accountability of people within hierarchical systems. Its 267-minute runtime may work for viewers prepared to spend several hours with the subject.
What is good
- Covers Barbie's life through his deportation to France.
- Examines evil and responsibility in hierarchies.
- Addresses war and the Holocaust.
- Received the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.
What to know first
- Runs 267 minutes.
- Available language listed is English.
Verdict
Hôtel Terminus gives an extended account of Klaus Barbie's life and the path to his trial in France. Its focus on war, the Holocaust and responsibility makes it relevant to viewers exploring those subjects.
Details
- Year
- 1988wikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- 267 minwikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Director
- Marcel Ophulswikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Country
- United States, France, Germanywikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
- Subjects
- The Holocaustwikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
- IMDb
- tt0095341wikidata.org · 3 Oct 2026
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Sources
- wikidata.org/wiki/Q464088· checked 3 Oct 2026
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Terminus:_The_Life_and_Times· checked 2 Oct 2026
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Terminus%3A_The_Life_and_Tim· checked 3 Oct 2026