A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad

A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad

2021
1 Season
6.6
Documentary

A colony of German Christians with a charismatic and manipulative leader establishes itself in Chile and becomes instrumental to the dictatorship.

Episodes

The Mission
E1Oct 1, 202142m

The Mission

Post-World War II, German preacher Paul Schäfer establishes a youth home but is soon accused of abuse. He flees to Chile, where he starts a new colony.

The Promised Land
E2Oct 1, 202154m

The Promised Land

In Chile, word gets out about Schäfer, so he establishes a free hospital to win favor with the locals. But then Wolfgang Kneese runs away, telling all.

The Specter of Communism
E3Oct 1, 202147m

The Specter of Communism

When Allende comes to power, a scared Schäfer smuggles and manufactures arms. Meanwhile, he grows more cruel in how he treats the colony's young people.

A Pact with the Devil
E4Oct 1, 202156m

A Pact with the Devil

Schäfer provides torture chambers for Pinochet's use in exchange for mining licenses and other perks. But he struggles to keep the youth "pure."

The Untouchable
E5Oct 1, 202153m

The Untouchable

Schäfer enlists the colonists to support Pinochet's activities. And even after Pinochet loses the presidency, Schäfer manages to keep going.

The Fall
E6Oct 1, 20211h 6m

The Fall

A pair of boys flee and tell on Schäfer. But the colonists pay the price as they try to rebuild their fractured lives.