Project Empathy | Spaceship Earth
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Project Empathy

Restoring and colourising footage of the Holocaust

At Spaceship Earth, we believe understanding grows from seeing clearly. Project Empathy is our effort to bring historical truth into sharper focus by restoring and colourising the original Holocaust footage filmed by Allied forces in 1945. This work helps people today connect with the human reality behind the images and strengthens our shared commitment to truth, dignity, and remembrance.

Viewer Discretion is Advised. The Footage Contains Scenes Some People May Find Upsetting.

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Why Project Empathy Matters

The Holocaust is one of the most documented atrocities in human history, yet distortion and denial continue to spread. As survivors pass away, the risk of misinformation increases. Project Empathy addresses this by preserving original evidence and presenting it in a way that is accessible and recognisable to modern viewers.

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Colourisation does not change history; it helps people see it. Details that once felt distant or abstract become immediate and human. Faces, uniforms, surroundings, and environments become clearer, helping viewers understand that these were real people — individuals with lives, families, and futures taken from them.

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By restoring this material, we protect the historical record and support education that strengthens empathy, critical thinking, and resilience against prejudice.

The Restored Footage

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This restored reel contains original footage from Ohrdruf Concentration Camp and the Hadamar Killing Centre. It was filmed by the US Army in April 1945 and later shown as evidence during the Nuremberg Trials.

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Here is a side-by-side comparison showing the restored footage on the right and the original scanned footage on the left. This allows viewers to see the impact of restoration and to appreciate the clarity gained without altering the historical content.

What This Footage Shows

The reel documents:

  • the liberation of Ohrdruf, the first concentration camp discovered by US troops

  • the inspection of the camp by Generals Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley

  • the remains of of murdered prisoners

  • liberated survivors

  • the forced tour of Nazi Party members and local townspeople

  • the Hadamar Killing Centre, where over 35,000 people were murdered

  • the exhumation of victims and the documentation of war crimes

This material was used as direct evidence in trials against leading Nazi officials. Restoration ensures it can continue to educate future generations.

Why Colour Matters

Presenting this footage in colour:

  • brings historical detail into clearer focus

  • helps younger audiences recognise the footage as real, not distant

  • makes individuals more relatable and human

  • highlights environmental and contextual details often missed

  • helps viewers connect emotionally without sensationalism

The aim is not to change history, but to remove barriers that can make black-and-white footage feel remote or abstract.

Our Long-Term Goals

Project Empathy is currently working on six known reels of original Holocaust footage filmed in 1945. Our goals are to:

  • fully restore and colourise all reels to archival quality

  • preserve the material for museums, educators, and institutions worldwide

  • donate the final restored collection to Holocaust museums

  • support educators in teaching evidence-based history

  • ensure the original material remains a reliable historical record

This project is the beginning of a long-term effort to preserve truth for future generations.

How You Can Support This Work

Restoring and colourising these reels is meticulous, time-intensive professional work. Each reel requires:

  • advanced restoration of damaged film

  • digital repair

  • colourisation using historical research

  • multiple review stages

  • final 4K rendering and quality control

Your donations help fund this process and ensure that these historical documents remain accessible, accurate, and protected.

Your support helps preserve the truth of what happened and strengthens education that fosters empathy, critical thinking, and a commitment to human dignity.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the organisations and individuals supporting this project. Additional acknowledgements will be added as funding partners confirm their preferred form of recognition.

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