Declassified: Rise and Fall of the Wall (Part 1/5)

For three decades, it symbolized the chasm between East and West, a brutal, grey barrier which divided a city and was a constantly-simmering focal point of the Cold War. But on November 9, 1989, the long-oppressed citizens of East Berlin broke the first chink in its 96 miles of concrete and barbed wire, signaling the start of one of history's most dramatic political transformations. A simple mistake by an East German official (who announced free transit to the West) unleashed joyful and anarchic celebrations on either side of the Wall. Germans East and West rushed to embrace each other, but how would the Soviets respond? Would they reinforce GDR border guards and fire on the revelers? Would the try to force the gates closed? Would they fire on the West, unleashing World War III? The world watched and waited.

Drawing on formerly secret archives from both sides of the Wall and the memories of those who risked their lives to cross the deadly barrier, Declassified: The Rise and Fall of the Wall presents all the detail and drama in a non-stop, fast-moving montage cut to a rock and roll beat. Featuring rare footage, insider reports and interviews with pivotal figures like President George Bush Sr. and Mikhail Gorbachev, this is an unforgettable portrait of a Cold War icon.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• USA
• Russia
• Germany
• Berlin
• Wall
• Documentary

[lrdplyr]

The music and video production makes this otherwise good documentary absolutely unwatchable.

[alexamada]

fuck the music on this series. it makes it seem cheap and unprofessional, like something you'd see on Fox

[modshroom]

the music sure does fuck up this documentary

[twodogs716]

Before the wall was torn down, I watched a news documentary about then future plans for this to happen, although it occurred earlier than scheduled. I do not recall, for sure, who the news anchor was or the name of the TV program or which syndicate "channel" it was on. It was one of the original three.... CBS, NBC, ABC. Anyone know where I can find this, here or elsewhere? I tried to obtain information by writing all three, no one responded.

[davidsegun]

@Broletariat90 and make the people suffer

[Broletariat90]

psssh such western propaganda. the wall was built to keep the west out!

[Kastrenzo74]

@altaqqadum96 Perhaps it's just a reminder to learn from your mistakes. Germany Started the Second World War, and in a lot of ways started the first. A price had to be paid, the Soviets gave it to them in 45, People only disagree because many westerners will take any chance they can to make a crack at the east, Countries like Russia or China, often times they don't even know the facts of the history.

[altaqqadum96]

@LawrenceofIsra Non sense of capitalism? i dont think all the Russian billionaires think that capitalism( russian version) is senseless

[altaqqadum96]

@Kastrenzo74 I f i were German i would like to remove that filth out of my country.

[Abonanno24601]

@oposoum what about all the walls in the world. why just europe?

[Abonanno24601]

@xtrekkiee fear builds walls!