Watch Hindenburg: Death of a Leviathan

Hindenburg: Death of a Leviathan is a documentary film that explores the catastrophic event of the Hindenburg disaster. The film is directed and produced by John Joslyn, who has spent over three decades researching and documenting the disaster, and presents a fresh perspective on the tragedy that occurred on May 6, 1937, as one of the most infamous airship accidents in history.

The film is over an hour long and is divided into different segments that help viewers understand the history and the impact of the Hindenburg disaster. The documentary features never-before-seen footage of the airship, as well as interviews with experts, historians, and eyewitnesses of the Hindenburg disaster.

The film starts with an introduction to the Hindenburg, detailing the design and engineering of the airship. The Hindenburg was a massive airship, over 800 feet long, and was considered a symbol of luxury and technological advancement in the 1930s. The film explains how the Hindenburg airship was designed as a transatlantic luxury liner to transport passengers and goods efficiently between continents, as airplanes could not fly that distance at the time.

The film then proceeds to the disaster itself. The Hindenburg burst into flames as it was landing in New Jersey, killing 36 persons on board and severely injuring others. The disaster was captured on film by newsreel cameras and has since become one of the most iconic and well-known events in history. The film takes a deep dive into the wreckage and interviews eyewitnesses of the disaster who recount the event in detail.

One of the most significant aspects of the film is how it attempts to unravel the mystery behind the Hindenburg disaster. The film explores different theories and conjectures, trying to determine the cause of the disaster. The film speculates on the role of sabotage, the impact of lightning, and the flammable nature of the hydrogen gas that powered the airship, which is deemed to be the most likely cause of the disaster.

The documentary also explores the impact of the Hindenburg disaster on society, particularly the aviation industry. The Hindenburg disaster had a significant impact on the public perception of air travel and led to a shift towards the use of airplanes over airships. The film then highlights how the Hindenburg disaster marked the end of an era in aviation history, with the world moving towards a jet age of aviation.

The documentary concludes with an examination of how the memory of the Hindenburg tragedy endures today through different mediums. The film showcases different depictions of the Hindenburg disaster in books, films, and documentaries since the tragedy. Moreover, the film underlines how the Hindenburg disaster has become a symbol of the dangers of technology, particularly when safety measures are not taken into consideration.

Hindenburg: Death of a Leviathan is an engaging and informative documentary that offers a fresh perspective on the infamous airship disaster. The film is both riveting and educational, bringing to life the Hindenburg's story and its impact on aviation history. Through a careful combination of interviews, historical footage, and expert analysis, the film manages to explore the disaster thoroughly while offering new insights into its cause and cultural significance. Not only is Hindenburg: Death of a Leviathan a must-watch for those interested in aviation history, but it is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the impact of tragic events on society.