Superb documentary and the definitive examination of Adolf Hitler's relationship with an adoring German public. Powerful imagery is utilized as original footage and photographs illustrate Hitler's early life and rise to power. Haunting in its portrait of evil and a people surrendering the soul of a nation completely to it, Professor Christopher Andrew presents his indictment with not only pictorial evidence but the testimony of individuals complicit in the horror of Nazism. This is an excellent example of television's ability to educate and enlighten as this fascinating production fulfills the highest potential of the medium. Simply a brilliant presentation and an important cautionary tale regarding the insidious nature of evil and how a single little man can perpetrate one of the greatest crimes against humanity through the blind obedience of the masses to a rabid, bloodthirsty nationalism.
2 Reviews
Language and Tone dismissive of Jews.
eb9991 December 2016
Let me start by saying that in high school, I had a teacher who was part of a German family during the Hitler era and her father was a patriotic German who had served in World War I. So when Hitler came into power, this family could not, at first, believe that their country would betray them! It was THEIR country - not some foreign power. Fortunately, they came to their senses in time to escape before they were killed.
These were Germans! Not some vague other group. But this documentary in its language and tone ignores this fact. By continually referring to the "German people's" admiration and fascination with Hitler, it places the Jews in some "other" category. It is agreeing in an understated way with Hitler's claim that Jews are not German. To me then, this type of documentary is truly dangerous. It pretends to be impartial but is - at it's core - anti-Semitic. And because the anti-Semitic narration is very understated, it is usually not noticed. But it has the power of a subliminal message. This I find repugnant (The 3 rating is for the historical content).
These were Germans! Not some vague other group. But this documentary in its language and tone ignores this fact. By continually referring to the "German people's" admiration and fascination with Hitler, it places the Jews in some "other" category. It is agreeing in an understated way with Hitler's claim that Jews are not German. To me then, this type of documentary is truly dangerous. It pretends to be impartial but is - at it's core - anti-Semitic. And because the anti-Semitic narration is very understated, it is usually not noticed. But it has the power of a subliminal message. This I find repugnant (The 3 rating is for the historical content).
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