Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.
An unnerving documentary portrait follows an execution-device engineer whose attempt to validate Holocaust denial destroys his professional identity.
Overview
A chilling exploration of the dark side of historical revisionism and the quest for truth.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- provocative
- disturbing
- sardonic
- serious discussion
- history study
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a deeply fascinating, provocative, and thought-provoking documentary portrait of Holocaust denial and its disquietingly ordinary subject.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Leuchter is presented through mundane behavior and personable interactions while pursuing Holocaust denial claims.
The central investigation follows Leuchter's report asserting that Auschwitz had no gas chambers and its consequences.
The film observes execution-device engineer Fred Leuchter in facilities, interviews, and ordinary domestic settings.
Errol Morris combines interviews with Leuchter, historians, associates, and neighbors alongside footage of execution sites and Auschwitz walls.
Films like Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr., and why
The Thin Blue Line
shared investigative documentary form, morally unsettling real-world subject, and fascination with denial and historical truth
A Brief History of Time
shared Errol Morris interview style, eccentric central subject, and psychologically probing nonfiction portrait
Shoah
shared Holocaust history, documentary examination of testimony, and confrontation with atrocity and denial
The Act of Killing
shared biographical documentary structure and critique of ideological extremism through a compelling individual portrait
Movie Details
- Director
- Errol Morris
- Release Date
- 1999-12-29
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (72)
Cast
- Fred A. Leuchter Jr.
- Robert Jan van Pelt
- David Irving
- Caroline Leuchter
- James Roth
- Shelly Shapiro
- Suzanne Tabasky
- Ernst Zündel
- David Collins
- Daniel Polsby
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. about?
- An unnerving documentary portrait follows an execution-device engineer whose attempt to validate Holocaust denial destroys his professional identity.
- What is Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a deeply fascinating, provocative, and thought-provoking documentary portrait of Holocaust denial and its disquietingly ordinary subject.
- Which films are like Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.?
- Films with a similar feel include The Thin Blue Line, A Brief History of Time, Shoah, and The Act of Killing.
- How long is Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.?
- Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.?
- In United States, Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+, Sundance Now.
