Netflix’s Gripping Six-Part WWII Documentary Exposes the Terrifying Rise of Nazi Germany and the Historic Trials That Changed the World

Netflix has an extensive collection of World War II documentaries, but one six-part series takes a particularly disturbing look at how Adolf Hitler rose to power and how Nazi leaders were eventually brought to justice.

Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial, directed by Joe Berlinger, combines historical footage, expert analysis and dramatic re-enactments to examine one of history’s darkest chapters.

Rather than focusing exclusively on military battles, the documentary investigates the political and social conditions that enabled Nazi Germany’s rise, before turning to the historic Nuremberg Trials.

How Nazi Germany Rose From the Ruins of World War I

The documentary begins by examining Germany’s political and economic struggles following its defeat in World War I.

The collapse of the German Empire and the establishment of the Weimar Republic created a period of instability that helped extremist political movements gain influence.

Against this backdrop, Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers’ Party exploited public resentment and nationalist sentiment to build support.

Through historical accounts and commentary from academics, the series explores how authoritarianism developed and how ordinary citizens became involved in the Nazi regime.

Berlinger deliberately combines archival material with reconstructed scenes to make the complicated history accessible to younger audiences.

Speaking to Time, the director emphasized the fragility of democracy and the capacity of ordinary people to participate in terrible acts.

The Nuremberg Trials Reveal the Full Horror of the Nazi Regime

While Hitler’s rise forms a major part of the documentary, the Nuremberg Trials provide its central narrative framework.

Following Germany’s defeat in 1945, leading surviving Nazi officials faced an international military tribunal over their roles in the regime’s crimes.

The trials were held in Nuremberg, a city previously associated with the Nazi Party’s enormous propaganda rallies.

By the time proceedings began, much of the city had been devastated by the war.

The documentary examines how prosecutors presented evidence of Nazi atrocities and helped establish important principles of international criminal justice.

Footage documenting the Holocaust was shown during the proceedings, confronting the courtroom with evidence of crimes committed across Nazi-occupied Europe.

The series also highlights the defendants’ pleas of not guilty, contrasting their courtroom positions with the historical evidence presented against them.

A Different Approach to World War II History

Unlike conventional war documentaries built around military campaigns, Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial concentrates on political manipulation, collective responsibility and the consequences of unchecked power.

Its structure moves between the events leading to World War II and the postwar trials, allowing viewers to see how earlier decisions ultimately led to international prosecution.

The documentary includes commentary from historians such as Boston College professor Devin Pendas, who examines how extremist leaders can persuade ordinary people to participate in atrocities.

Berlinger’s use of re-enactments and original historical footage creates an unsettling viewing experience, particularly when examining the crimes committed under Nazi rule.

The result is a documentary that addresses both the historical events and the broader questions surrounding how democratic institutions can collapse.

Where to Watch Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial

All six episodes of Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial are available on Netflix.

The series offers a detailed introduction to the political conditions behind Nazi Germany’s emergence, the consequences of Hitler’s dictatorship and the international effort to prosecute surviving Nazi leaders.

For viewers interested in World War II history, its emphasis on the Nuremberg Trials provides a perspective that extends beyond the battlefield.

By tracing the path from political extremism to international justice, the documentary delivers a powerful examination of how the Nazi regime gained power — and how the world attempted to hold its leaders accountable.