But despite its bristly concept, “The End” largely forgoes any direct images of annihilation, settling into a vast underground bunker with seemingly endless resources well after most humans have perished.

Musicals are, in many cases, delusions, born in times of violence and annihilation.

Eichmann played a key role in the 1942 Wannsee Conference at which the Nazis' annihilation of European Jewry was planned, and was seen as the logistical mastermind of the Final Solution.

But in fellow Brit Steve McQueen’s muscular, sincere “Blitz,” his latest reckoning with the heartbeat of historical incident, life under the threat of annihilation pulsates a little more strongly than that beloved phrase would suggest.

Israel, he said, had no choice but to fight savage enemies who sought its annihilation.