Hitler - The Rise of Evil (2003)

 lS ANYB0DY LlSTENING?!?!
This mini-series would've been better had they dealt with the subjects dealt with in the History Channel's documentary ''High Hitler''. Where they revealed that ''Uncle Dolfie'' had an addiction to pain pills which cotributed to a plethora of health problems like gas. Supposedly the Fuhrur farted like a buffalo. He also had battles with constipation and at times he had diarrhea that could polute the Rhein. April 10, 2008

 AWESOME!
Excellent Performance. Brilliant Casting. Spellbinding Drama! I Loved It!

Amazon, Thank You! for your speedy delivery - four (4) days. Terrific! April 10, 2008

 Historically dissapointing, but entertaining.
It's about time someone had the guts to make a movie about one of the most historically important figures of our time. I only wish they had paid more attention to historical accuracy. Several scenes "bend the truth" in order to reinforce the movie's portrait of Hitler as something monstrous. The scene which shows the circumstances of his winning the Iron Cross in the First World War is sadly inaccurate. By all accounts he was a brave and good soldier. I guess to portray Hitler as completely inhuman and mad is comfortable to most people, but not realistic. Another disapointment is the way they rushed through Hitler's early years in Austria. Fleeting scenes catch glimpses of his time spent as a homeless aspiring artist. Watching the filmmaking extra that appears on the 2nd disc, you see that they filmed alot more than what showed up on the final take. This time in his life, which was essential in developing his later ideological beliefs, was somehow looked over, or lost in editing. The film goes through his boyhood to his leaving for Munich before the opening credits are through. Better it would have been to extend the movie into a longer mini-series, perhaps in six parts, such as War And Remembrance. For those who know little of the history of Nazi Germany, I'm afraid the "how and why" will still remain unanswered, while scholars will be able to fill in the gaps on their own.
April 6, 2008

 chilling and interesting portrayal
This is a good introduction to that all-encompassing epitome of evil, Hitler. While not excessively accurate from a historical standpoint, which Hitler buffs and academic types will protest, the story is well told and offers a wide range of emotion: you see Hitler as an abused child, an abject failure until the WWI experience that focused his rage, and then as a sociopathic seeker of power as a politician of genius. It evokes the time very well and has good characters, who are acted with true excellence by the fine cast.

I liked the journalist opponent, as played by Modine, who watched with amusement, then mortal fear, and serves as a kind of conscience for the German people in the film. He is excellent and convincing, along with his wife. Then there is the publisher and his wife, who are early adherents to the Party and for a time mesmerized. They too are excellent characters, mirroring another side of the German psyche that becomes increasingly ambivalent as Hitler gains power; it destroys their relationship. As I was unsure whether they were fictional characters, I looked them up and they are indeed historical figures, which makes this a first-rate bio-pic.

Then there is Carlyle, who makes a very very good Hitler. He holds himself in a way I have never seen him - more often in his career a well-meaning, almost floppy ne'er do well - as rigid, full of boiling hate, and a political shrewdness and brutality that are compelling and still frightening. Finally, there is the exceptional performance of Stormare as Roehm, the leader of the SA who is eventually murdered for political reasons, as Hitler consolidated his power. Stormare is a genuinely wonderful character actor, bringing an entire environment with him.

Recommended. It is powerful and fun and historically interesting. March 31, 2008

 Good Film, Great Director
This is a really good examination of Hitler's childhood & eventual rise to autocratic power in post-WWI Germany. It unflinchingly shows that Hitler was "marketed" by the German high finance Oligarchy in order to combat Communism--not to mention the elimination of their Jewish competitors & seizure of their resouces. Hitler is portrayed as a rather ordinary youth with a big chip on his shoulder (put there by a bully father) & an almost sexually debilitating Oedipus complex. This complex study of megalomania unfolds with polished acting, an excellent script, and perhaps most importantly, the gifted skill of a great director, Christian Duguay.

My only problem with the film is Robert Carlyle's Hitler--and it's not his acting--rather it's just his physical type. His appearance is thin & almost frail-looking. It worked during the World War I scenes, but lacks the commanding appearances & physical charisma Hitler obviously possessed. It reminded me of Jeremy Iron's portrayal of Juan Peron in "Evita." No problem with the acting at all, just the body type.

My "favorite Hitler" was Alec Guiness in the 1950's "Hitler: The Last Days." His Hitler is cunning, ridiculous, a big bore--yet funny in an evil sort of way. It takes place in the bunker with walls shaking almost constantly from the fighting & bombardment in Berlin--and Hitler is rattling on about the evils of smoking and eating meat. My favorite sequence is at Hitler's wedding party when all the guests are talking about how they will commit suicide. The cook says, "I'll remain at my post and put my head in the oven." A guest remarks, "But Frau Cook, the kitchen is all electric." To which the cook indignantly replies, "Then I'll electrocute myself!"

It's a shame this film seems to have "disappeared."

Anyway, back to the reviewed Hitler, there are several segments of the Berlin "dark cabaret" scenes that are historically & artistically interesting.

The cast is top notch & praise worthy as well.

March 7, 2008

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