Experiencing Interruptions?

Ralph Rush: Concentration Camp Liberator

During WWII, Ralph Rush served as a scout in General George S. Patton's 89th Infantry Division. Rush was the first American in the first concentration camp, Ohrdruf, discovered by the Allies. Now in his 90s, Ralph told his story to documentary filmmaker and Iraq War veteran Daniel Bernardi in 2015.

  • Daniel Bernardi
    Director
    The American War
  • Robert Barbarino
    Producer
    Con Motto: The Alexander String Quartet
  • Daniel Bernardi
    Producer
    The American War
  • Ralph Rush
    Key Cast
    "Himself"
  • Daniel Bernardi
    Writer
    The American War
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, War, Veteran
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Distribution Information
  • El Dorado Films
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Daniel Bernardi

Daniel Bernardi is a documentary filmmaker, cultural studies scholar and veteran of the Iraq War. His research explores the representation and narration of race in American film and television, and includes the award-winning book Star Trek and History: Race-ing Toward a White Future. His 2018 film, The American War, tells the story of the Vietnam War from the point of view of the Vietcong. His other films explore a wide range of subjects, from the diversity of the veteran experience to the role of science in the lives of today’s citizenry. He earned his doctorate from the School of Theatre, Film and Television at UCLA.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

As a veteran of the Iraq War and a documentarian who has explored the complex landscapes of conflict in films like The War to End All Wars and The American War, my perspective on war and its repercussions is deeply personal and unflinchingly honest. This project, centered on the experiences of a concentration camp liberator, is one of profound urgency in today’s climate. In an era where the specter of fascism looms once more, understanding the atrocities of the past becomes a moral imperative. This film on Ralph Rush, a WWII scout in Patton's Army, isn’t merely a historical recounting—it’s a warning, a reflection, and a call to vigilance. The testimonies of soldiers who bore witness to unspeakable horror remind us of the fragility of humanity when confronted with systems of hate and dehumanization. Through their eyes, we see both the devastating lows and the small triumphs of courage and morality in the face of evil.

The archival footage and firsthand accounts are haunting yet necessary reminders of what happens when bigotry and authoritarianism are left unchecked. As I listened to Ralph’s voice recounting his entry into the camp and his encounters with the survivors, I felt a profound weight to honor his memories and the truths they reveal. These are not just stories of liberation; they are stories of the immense burden carried by those who survived, those who fought, and those who witnessed. At a time when history risks being sanitized or forgotten, this film insists on remembering, on facing the brutal truths of what humanity is capable of, both in its darkness and in its resilience. For me, this is not just a film—it’s a mission to ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought against tyranny are never erased, and that the lessons of the past continue to resonate for future generations.