play trailer

Key Highlights

  • Duration
    53 mins (also in 3 parts - 19 mins, 13 mins & 18 mins)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 and 4
  • Ages
    13+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

THE HOLOCAUST

The Holocaust is a fully comprehensive, age-appropriate overview of the key events of the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945. It features selected testimonies from 10 Holocaust survivors from Germany, Poland, Holland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary as well as third party accounts from other Survivors of Nazi persecution as relayed by student actors and presenters. Jason Isaacs provides the narration.

The film fulfils the requirements of the National Curriculum for Holocaust education and is suitable for students aged 13 plus, as well as forming an excellent basis for History GCSE syllabus and A Level History.
DURATION
53 mins

(also in 3 parts - 19 mins, 13 mins & 19 mins)
Narrated by
Jason Isaacs
Subtitles
Available

✔️ The full story in one lesson
A complete, age-appropriate overview of the Holocaust from 1933–1945 in just 53 minutes

✔️ Curriculum-ready
Meets National Curriculum requirements for Year 9 and supports GCSE and A-Level study

✔️ Fits your schedule
Flexible format lets you screen in one sitting or three shorter parts, making it easier to fit into busy timetables

Register to screen full film

Key Themes Discussed

  • Rise of Nazi power
  • Jewish life before the Holocaust
  • Societal and state antisemitism
  • Dehumanisation and victimisation of Jews, disabled people, gay people, Roma and Sinti, black people
  • Collaboration, Resistance and Rescue
  • Ghettoisation and ghetto life
  • Deportations and forced journeys
  • Concentration and extermination camps
  • Liberation and immediate aftermath

THE HOLOCAUST– resources

Teacher Guidance

This guide acts as an overview for educators on how to use The Holocaust film in the classroom. It explains the structure and purpose of the accompanying discussion cards (below), provides lesson plans for each film section, and offers practical tips for leading thoughtful, sensitive discussions in History, RE, PSHE, English.

Ideal for teachers delivering Holocaust lessons with limited time, the guide helps ensure sensitive and impactful teaching using survivor testimony and historical context.
File size 0.58mb

Discussion cards - for part 1

The aim of the discussion cards is to ensure students develop an understanding of the Holocaust that is embedded in thoughtful consideration of testimony and, consequently, individual human experience.

The cards combine testimony extracts featured in the film with connecting discussion questions. The questions have been chosen to prompt students to deepen their understanding of what is being described in the extract.
File size 0.13mb

Discussion cards - for part 2

The aim of the discussion cards is to ensure students develop an understanding of the Holocaust that is embedded in thoughtful consideration of testimony and, consequently, individual human experience.

The cards combine testimony extracts featured in the film with connecting discussion questions. The questions have been chosen to prompt students to deepen their understanding of what is being described in the extract.
File size 0.11mb

Discussion cards - for part 3

The aim of the discussion cards is to ensure students develop an understanding of the Holocaust that is embedded in thoughtful consideration of testimony and, consequently, individual human experience.

The cards combine testimony extracts featured in the film with connecting discussion questions. The questions have been chosen to prompt students to deepen their understanding of what is being described in the extract.
File size 0.12mb

Timeline of Testimony & Resource Cards 1 - For Part 1

This set of discussion cards is to be used alongside ‘Part 1’ of the film. The cards explore the growing threat of Nazism, the impact of strengthening antisemitism and anti-Jewish laws and the impact this had on individuals and their families.
File size 1.15mb

Timeline of Testimony & Resource Cards 2 - For Part 2

This set of discussion cards is to be used alongside ‘Part 2’ of the film. The cards explore the establishment and experience of different Holocaust sites, the decline in living conditions, deportations and the struggle to survive.
File size 0.96mb

Timeline of Testimony & Resource Cards 3 - For Part 3

This set of discussion cards is to be used alongside ‘Part 3’ of the film. The cards explore the realities of genocide and mass murder, personal loss, concentration camp environments, death marches and the challenges of liberation.
File size 1.36mb

GENERAL RESOURCES

Note: All links below open in external websites

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for year 7-8:

Pre-war Jewish life

Impossible Choices: Life under Nazi Persecution

Vera’s Journey (A study of the Kindertransport via one young girl’s perspective)

What Makes a Hero? (Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport)

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for year 9+:

Ghettos

Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany

Britain, Refugees and the Kindertransport

Dilemmas, Choices and Responses

Rescue during the Holocaust

The Holocaust Educational Trust resources for sixth form and older students:

What teachers are saying

  • "Magnificent. An excellent use of student voices; so very expressive and easier for students to empathise with. Thank you"

    • Simon Hopkins, Teacher - Wollaston School, Northamptonshire

  • "This was the most valuable documentary on the Holocaust I have come across"

    • Teacher - Dumbarton Academy, Scotland

  • "This film was superb. I have never had a resource that explains this horrifying period of history so comprehensively"

    • Teacher - Thornden School, Hampshire

  • "An informative, educational docufilm created in a tasteful way. Well done to all involved"

    • Natalie Hall, Teacher - Aughnacloy College, Northern Ireland

  • "The film was excellent, very well produced, posed questions and informed. Left me speechless despite teaching about the Holocaust for decades"

    • Teacher - Elea High Online School

  • "We really appreciate the high quality of the resources produced and are glad to use them to support our delivery of material on the Holocaust both in history lessons and as part of the wider school"

    • Teacher - Huntcliff School, Saltburn-by-the-Sea

  • "Thank you so much for the use of the film. I lead the assemblies for year 7-11 and the feedback I have received from both staff and pupils was that it was one of the best assemblies they have had"

    • Teacher - Farringdon Community Academy, Sunderland

Explore Other Films In Our Collection

Assembly Film

  • Duration
    15 mins
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    11+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Kindertransport

  • Duration
    20 mins
  • Key stage(s)
    3 and 4
  • Ages
    11+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Steven’s Story

  • Duration
    52 mins (also in 3 parts - 18 mins, 18 mins & 16 mins)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    13+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English

Janine’s Story

  • Duration
    54 mins (also in 2 parts, 27 mins each)
  • Key stage(s)
    3 AND 4
  • Ages
    12+
  • Supported subjects
    History, RE, PSHE, English