Motion pictures have been used in the history classroom for a long time. Despite that fact, there are not a lot written about how this can be done. This essay, therefore, explores the possibility of a theoretical frame with the aim for a motion picture to promote the development of historical empathy among students. It is not deployed in a classroom setting; however, it seeks to study the preconditions in how it can be done. The study draws from history didactics and film analysis to study Michael Haneke´s The White Ribbon from 2009. Haneke is renown in the academic world where his movies draw a lot of attention. The reason is that his movies have a tendency to depict the ongoing decay of our society. This study aims at intertwining theory of history didactics with film analysis in order to promote the development of historical empathy among students. The theoretical frame the essay provides show a possibility in how a motion picture can be used for this purpose in the history classroom.