A new feature film is challenging the long-standing historical narrative surrounding Felix Kersten, the personal therapist to Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. The production, titled “Himmler’s ‘anti-Nazi’ masseur: exposing the lies and fantasies of the SS chief’s ‘magic Buddha’,” portrays Kersten not as the humanitarian savior he claimed to be, but as a narcissist who systematically fabricated his role in rescuing victims of the Holocaust to secure a postwar legacy.
The film seeks to dismantle the myth of the “magic Buddha”—a moniker reflecting Kersten’s claims of possessing a quasi-mystical healing touch—by presenting evidence that his assertions of saving thousands of lives were largely exaggerated or entirely invented.
The Deconstruction of a Savior
Directed by German writer-director Felix Randau, the film examines the complex and opportunistic relationship between Kersten and one of the most powerful men in the Third Reich. Kersten, a massage therapist who gained access to Himmler by treating the SS chief’s chronic stomach ailments, spent decades after the war promoting a version of history in which he acted as a clandestine operative for the oppressed.
According to reports from Guardian International, the film argues that Kersten leveraged his proximity to Himmler to cultivate an image of a “righteous gentile.” In his own accounts, Kersten claimed to have used his influence over the ailing Himmler to intercede on behalf of persecuted Jews and political prisoners, effectively trading medical relief for the lives of others.
However, Randau’s film presents a contrasting evidence-based narrative. The production posits that Kersten’s actions were driven more by self-promotion and a desire for status than by a genuine commitment to humanitarianism. The film suggests that while Kersten may have had a degree of influence, the scale of his “rescues” was a fabrication designed to shield him from accusations of collaboration and to elevate his social standing in the post-war era.
Why the Revision Matters
The scrutiny of Felix Kersten is more than a biographical correction; it is an examination of how historical memory can be manipulated. For years, the story of the “anti-Nazi masseur” served as a compelling narrative of individual resistance within the heart of the SS apparatus. By exposing these claims as fantasies, the film highlights the danger of accepting unverified personal testimonies, especially those that align with a desired “hero” narrative.
The film’s central thesis is that Kersten’s self-mythologizing obscured the reality of his collaboration. By positioning himself as a savior, Kersten was able to avoid a rigorous accounting of his professional and personal ties to the Nazi leadership. The film argues that this form of historical revisionism allows individuals who operated within totalitarian systems to rewrite their complicity as courage.
Analysis: The depiction of Kersten as a myth-maker raises critical questions about the nature of legacy and the psychology of the collaborator. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, there was a profound societal need for stories of resistance. Figures like Kersten, who possessed the “evidence” of their proximity to power, were often able to insert themselves into these narratives. Scholars suggest that such self-aggrandizing stories do more than just lie about the past; they obscure the systemic nature of totalitarianism by suggesting that a single “good” actor could manipulate the machinery of genocide from within through personal favors.
Background and Context
Felix Kersten’s rise to prominence began with his ability to treat Heinrich Himmler’s digestive issues, a vulnerability that gave him unprecedented access to the architect of the Final Solution. This relationship was characterized by a strange intimacy, where Kersten provided physical relief in exchange for information and influence.
Following the collapse of the Third Reich, Kersten emerged as a figure of interest to various intelligence agencies and historians. He claimed to have saved thousands of people, often citing secret agreements with Himmler. These claims were largely accepted for a time, contributing to his reputation as a clandestine hero.
The project to expose these claims began five years ago when French producers approached Felix Randau to develop a miniseries. The project eventually evolved into a feature film, shifting its focus from a standard biographical account to a critical investigation into the veracity of Kersten’s claims. The production involved a deep dive into archival records to contrast Kersten’s public testimonies with the documented reality of the SS administration.
What to Watch Next
As the film reaches a wider audience, it is expected to spark a renewed debate among historians regarding the “gray zone” of collaboration. The release may prompt a re-evaluation of other figures who claimed to have worked “from the inside” to mitigate the horrors of the Nazi regime.
Observers should look for responses from historical archives and Holocaust research centers to see if the film’s evidence leads to a formal revision of Kersten’s place in the historical record. Additionally, the film’s reception in Germany and France will likely indicate how modern audiences view the tension between individual narratives and documentary evidence in the face of historical trauma.
Conclusion
“Himmler’s ‘anti-Nazi’ masseur” serves as a cautionary tale about the malleability of truth. By stripping away the veneer of the “magic Buddha,” the film reveals the opportunistic nature of a man who sought to trade his proximity to a monster for a legacy of sainthood. In doing so, it reinforces the necessity of evidence-first history, reminding audiences that the most seductive narratives of heroism are often the ones that require the most scrutiny.
Sources: Guardian International, [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/05/himmlers-anti-nazi-masseur-exposing-the-lies-and-fantasies-of-the-ss-chiefs-magic-buddha](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/05/himmlers-anti-nazi-masseur-exposing-the-lies-and-fantasies-of-the-ss-chiefs-magic-buddha)
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Story synopsis gathered from: Guardian International — source
