Project Empathy
Historically researched restoration and colourisation of Holocaust footage
At Spaceship Earth, we believe understanding grows from seeing clearly. Project Empathy uses historically researched restoration and colourisation to bring original Holocaust footage filmed by Allied forces in 1945 into sharper focus. This work helps people 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.
Historically researched restoration and colourisation help modern audiences engage with the original footage, which remains the primary historical source. 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.
By restoring this material, we protect the historical record and support education that strengthens empathy, critical thinking, and resilience against prejudice.
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The Restored Footage
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.
Historically researched restoration and colourisation, shown alongside the original footage. The restored version appears on the right and the original scanned footage on the left, allowing a direct comparison.
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What This Footage Shows
The reel documents:
the liberation of Ohrdruf, a subcamp of Buchenwald and the first Nazi concentration camp liberated by US troops
the inspection of the camp by Generals Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley
the remains of murdered prisoners
liberated survivors
the forced tour of Nazi Party members and local townspeople
the Hadamar Killing Centre
the exhumation of victims and the documentation of war crimes
This footage was presented as documentary evidence at the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, where leading Nazi officials were prosecuted. Restoration helps ensure that it can continue to educate future generations.
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Why Colour Matters
Presenting this footage in colour:
uses colour to make historical details easier for modern audiences to recognise and understand
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 to help viewers connect with the people and events recorded, while keeping the original footage and its historical context central.
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Our Long-Term Goals
Project Empathy is currently working to restore and colourise six reels of original Allied 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 that the restored and colourised versions remain clearly connected to the original historical record by presenting them side by side.
This project is the beginning of a long-term effort to preserve truth for future generations.
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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.
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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.