THE documentary “The Rape of Europa” chronicles one of the lesser known atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler and his goons: The systematic attempt to destroy all European art and architecture created by “degenerates.”
No public or private collections were spared Hitler’s plundering. Perhaps, the film suggests, der Fuhrer was driven by his own failure as an artist. In any event, he showed no mercy. The Mona Lisa . . . Who needs it?
“The Rape of Europa” is exhaustive in its research, and the directors (Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen and Nicole Newnham) have their hearts in the right place. But their film is uninspired in style, and Joan Allen’s narration is dry.
THE RAPE OF EUROPA
**
Running time: 117 minutes. Not rated (disturbing images). At the Paris and the Angelika.