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The Commandant’s Shadow Is Now Streaming: Watch The Story That Inspired the Academy Award-winning film The Zone of Interest
Published on July 17, 2024
The Commandant’s Shadow is a gripping documentary that explores the legacy of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss through the eyes of his descendants and a camp survivor. You can watch it on HBO, Max, Crave, and more.
Many streaming platforms, like Max, are blocked due to geo-restrictions, making them accessible only within the US. If you're outside the US, you'll hit an error message when trying to access these services. But don’t worry—a VPN can help you bypass these restrictions and enjoy your favorite shows from anywhere.
Dive into our article to watch The Commandant’s Shadow online. Learn how to use a VPN to unlock this gripping documentary, get a preview and cast details, and watch the trailer.
Where Can You Watch The Commandant’s Shadow
The 103-minute documentary will be available in the US on HBO and Max and in Canada on Crave on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 9 pm ET. You can also find Max as an add-on service on Hulu and DirecTV Stream. Here's where you can stream The Commandant’s Shadow:
We recommend watching the documentary on Max since it’s the cheapest option available and offers hit movies, original series, and exclusive documentaries at an affordable price point.
Access The Commandant’s Shadow Online With a VPN
With a VPN, accessing geo-restricted streaming platforms is a breeze. Just connect it to a server where the platform is available and follow these simple steps to start watching:
- Sign up for a reliable VPN to unblock Max (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install the VPN on your device(s).
- Turn on your VPN and choose a US server.
- Load the platform and begin streaming the documentary.
Alternatively, you can unlock Hulu or DirecTV Stream with a US server or Crave with a Canadian server.
Should You Use a VPN to Stream The Commandant’s Shadow?
The Commandant’s Shadow is currently available on Max in the US, but geo-restrictions mean you can't access the platform from overseas without a VPN. In general, licensing agreements and broadcasting rights limit access to these platforms outside their designated regions.
For instance, If you are outside the US and try to watch Max without a VPN running in the background, you will see an error message on the homepage stating, “Max is Not Available in Your Region.”
Likewise, trying to access Hulu or DirecTV Stream outside the US or Crave outside Canada will also trigger geo-restriction error messages. NordVPN is your best choice to enjoy this documentary without these pesky location restrictions holding you back.
NordVPN is considered the best personal VPN for streaming due to its ability to mask your actual location with an IP address from a different region. It boasts thousands of servers worldwide, has super-fast speeds, and can effortlessly unblock Max, Hulu, and more from anywhere.
6,400+ servers in 111 countries. Easily unblock services, Fast and stable connection, No logs, No bandwidth limits, Military-grade encryption, 24/7 live chat support, and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can You Watch The Commandant’s Shadow from Outside Your Country?
The release date for The Commandant’s Shadow in Australia remains unknown at the time of writing. A trustworthy VPN provides unrestricted access from anywhere in the world.
Need more help watching the documentary online? Our specially curated article has got you covered.
How to Access The Commandant’s Shadow in the US
The Commandant’s Shadow will premiere in the US on HBO and Max on July 18, 2024, at 9 pm ET. Prices start at $9.99 per month for the ad-supported version, but you can stream The Commandant’s Shadow for free on Max after logging in with your TV provider credentials. Let's take a look at some live TV and streaming services that offer Max:
- Hulu: Max is available as a $15.99 monthly premium add-on to your Hulu subscription. You can also take advantage of the add-on’s 7-day free trial. For those who are new to the platform, Hulu offers a 30-day free trial. An ad-supported tier membership costs $7.99 a month.
- DirecTV Stream: Max is available as a premium add-on for $15.99 a month on top of a subscription fee of $79.99 a month. You can get Max free for 2 months when you add it to your current DirecTV Stream package.
The Commandant’s Shadow was released across select US theaters on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
How to Watch The Commandant’s Shadow in Canada
Canadian viewers can watch the documentary on July 18, 2024, at 9 pm ET on Crave. The subscription includes access to HBO, Max, Starz, and Showtime, and prices start at $9.99 per month with the basic tier. New subscribers get a 7-day free trial.
How to Watch The Commandant’s Shadow in the UK
The documentary was released in the UK on July 12, 2024, in selected cinemas. Readers are advised to check local listings for more details.
Can You Stream The Commandant’s Shadow Online for Free?
US viewers can stream the title for free with Hulu’s 30-day free trial for new subscribers. Alternatively, DirecTV Stream offers an extensive two-month free trial for existing Max users. You can also access Max for free with your television provider’s credentials.
In Canada, you can watch The Commandant’s Shadow for free via Crave’s 7-day free trial.
Preview
The Commandant’s Shadow is a powerful documentary that delves into the lives of those connected to Rudolf Höss, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp commandant. Its story was the basis of the Academy-award-winning film “The Zone of Interest.”
The documentary introduces Hans Jürgen Höss, Rudolf's son, who claims he had an idyllic childhood in Auschwitz, unaware of the atrocities happening just beyond their villa. His son, Kai, a Christian preacher, struggles to understand his father’s alleged ignorance, especially since the crematorium stacks were visible from Hans' bedroom window.
Kai believes Hans has buried the truth so deeply that it barely exists in his consciousness, a belief underscored by Hans’ avoidance of his father’s autobiography, "Commandant of Auschwitz." Written while awaiting execution, Rudolf's confession reveals his pride in constructing and managing the camp, believing his actions were justified.
The film contrasts Hans’ story with that of Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, a 98-year-old Auschwitz survivor who was spared due to her cello skills, allowing her to join the camp orchestra. Anita speaks with somber clarity about her experiences, while her daughter Maya, who grew up under the shadow of untold trauma, represents the lingering pain of the second generation. Maya’s emotional response to her childhood photos highlights the deep scars left by the Holocaust.
The Commandant’s Shadow presents an intimate look at these four individuals. Director Völker uses their stories to explore how the past is processed and confronted despite the impossibility of fully overcoming such a tragedy. Hans reunites with his sister Puppi in the US after 50 years, both struggling to reconcile their fond memories with their parents' horrific actions. Kai, in turn, has found solace in Christianity, seeking salvation from his family's dark legacy.
The film’s climax takes Hans, Kai, and Maya to Auschwitz, where Hans faces the brutal reality of his father’s actions. Later, they visit Anita’s home, sharing tea and pie in a surreal attempt to understand their shared history. Despite their efforts, they remain deeply affected by the past, highlighting the enduring impact of the Holocaust on survivors and their descendants. The Commandant’s Shadow is a poignant exploration of guilt, denial, and the quest for understanding in the aftermath of unimaginable horror.
Critics have praised "The Commandant’s Shadow" for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The Financial Times awarded it 4 stars, calling it "startling." The Irish Times also gave it 4 stars, highlighting it as "the fascinating real-life story behind The Zone of Interest." The Guardian was even more impressed, giving it 5 stars.
Cast
- Adolf Hitler
- Rudolf Hoess
- Hans-Jürgen Höss
- Kai Höss
- Klemens Koehring Höss
- Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
- Maya Lasker-Wallfisch
Trailer
Final Thoughts
You can watch The Commandant’s Shadow online, but it's geo-blocked to the US and Canada. If you're outside these regions, a VPN will let you change your virtual location and enjoy streaming it.
For those concerned about online privacy and security, NordVPN is recommended. It features obfuscation to hide your VPN traffic, 24/7 live chat support, stable connections, and a Smart DNS. Try NordVPN risk-free for 30 days with their money-back guarantee.
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