The Decent One

It is rare to find a documentary so efficient in nullifying the intrigue of its subject matter, which in this case is the life and career of Heinrich Himmler, architect of the Nazi's "Final Solution" and, in his own estimation, a decent, upstanding family man. Unfortunately, Vanessa Lapa directs like an uninspiring teacher leading a fifth-period history lesson, composing the film entirely of archival footage and a newly available cache of letters and personal diary entries that are read aloud in a relentlessly soporific monotone. All this fails to provide anything in the way of historical context or psychological insight, simply plodding along for what seems, at least, twice its 96-minute running time - and just when you think the class is over, Lapa presents yet more newsreel footage, meticulously organised in chronological order, apparently single-minded in her determination to flaunt all her research. The Decent One is spectacular only in the extent to which it is a wholly misconceived, hopelessly leaden slog.