BRITISH DENAZIFICATION POLICY IN GERMAN CINEMA (1945–1949)

Oleh Mashevskyi,

Dr. habil. (History), Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

Vadym Zadonenko,

student,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2026.35.6

 

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to highlight the features of the British policy of «re-education» as a component of denazification and information control in occupied Germany in 1945–1949. The authors seek to analyze the mechanisms of using cinema as a tool for transforming the public consciousness of the German population, eradicating Nazi ideology and forming new democratic values ​​in post-war society. Particular attention is paid to the role of cinema as a means of mass communication capable of influencing public opinion and contributing to the rethinking of the experience of the Nazi past.

The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity and systematicity. The problem-chronological method was used to analyze the main stages of the implementation of the British occupation policy in the field of culture and information, as well as the method of critical analysis of archival sources (in particular, documents of the National Archives of Great Britain) to reconstruct the activities of information control units.

The scientific novelty of the work lies in the comprehensive study of the activities of the British PR/ISC and PWD SHAEF services in the context of censorship, selection and distribution of film production in the occupation zone. The role of documentary and feature films as a means of demonstrating the crimes of Nazism and popularizing democratic values ​​is specified.

Conclusions. It is proven that the British model of denazification through cinema was oriented towards a gradual transition from strict censorship and banning of Nazi films to stimulating the creation of new German cinema. It is established that, despite the technical and logistical difficulties of the post-war period, the British administration managed to create an effective film distribution network, which became an important platform for implementing the policy of re-education and integration of German society into the democratic European space.

Keywords: Great Britain, Germany, USA, occupation policy, denazification, cinema, international relations.

 

Submitted 03.01.2026

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