Hôtel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie
Seen it?1988 | 268 min | War, Documentary
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious and history buffs.
- The mood
- Harrowing, eye-opening.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 4 hr 28 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 4 hr 28 min.
Marcel Ophuls' riveting film details the heinous legacy of the Gestapo head dubbed "The Butcher of Lyon." Responsible for over 4,000 deaths in occupied France during World War II, Barbie would escape—with U.S. help—to South America in 1951, where he lived until a global manhunt led to his 1983 arrest and subsequent trial.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Oscar: Best Documentary Feature Film.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$341K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 11K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Deliver Us from Evil
Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
I Am Heath Ledger Sunday Safe BetAnother documentary, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Katy Perry: Part of Me
Weeknight WatchAnother documentary, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
RBG Saturday SpecialAnother documentary that's easy to miss.
Samsara Saturday SpecialAnother documentary that's easy to miss.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Marcel Ophüls
- Klaus BarbieSelf
- Marcel OphülsSelf
- Serge KlarsfeldSelf
- Beate KlarsfeldSelf
- Claude LanzmannSelf
- Daniel Cohn-BenditSelf
- Günter GrassSelf
- Jacques VergèsSelf
- Régis DebraySelf
- Bertrand TavernierSelf