Hitler - Um Filme Alemão

I first have to say that I have a real fascination with Hitler. NOT admiration, fascination. This film was given to me by a friend who shared this intrigue. Rininger, upon giving me this film said "you are absolutely going to love this" Truer words will never be uttered. My friend passed away a few days ago, and I will be forever grateful that he introduced me to this (in my opinion)masterpiece of film making. This film is definitely not for everyone. But those who are able to take heavy doses of beauty and provocative discourse this film is a must. I was absolutely riveted the first time I saw it and continue to return to it on a regular basis to take whatever dose time might permit. The sets are to my eye breathtakingly wonderful. Despite the fact that I don't understand more than a word of German is a none issue. I find that I can ignore the subtitles and lose myself in the sheer passion. This film communicates on so many levels that it is impossible to walk away from it empty. It will probably take many many viewings before I can even scratch the surface of this films visual richness and cultural significance. I highly suggest the viewing of this film for any seriously art minded persons. John R. I thank you for alerting me to this delicious slice of experience. Love ya man.

Exhausting and ridiculously long, and almost impossible to explain. It's incredibly unique, for better or worse, and something I'm impressed with but would struggle to rewatch, and also would hesitate to recommend to just about everyone.

It's something like a fusion of documentary and biographical film, all filmed on a stage (so almost like a play, too), with tons of voiceover - both by actors and through real historical speeches - all of it aiming to unpack who Hitler was, what he did, how he rose to power, how he affected the world, and the implications the existence of such an individual has on the psyche of the world's population. The presentation is strange, sometimes repetitive, surreal, dreamlike, minimalist, and often eerie.

As broad as that sounds, it's also only scratching the surface. It's so dense and filled with so many ideas- some clear, most philosophical, and some presented in a very obscure way. It's the kind of movie you feel like you're drowning in sometimes. But I know it's sort of meant to be this way. It has some degree of power this way, but it renders the film all but impossible to fully digest.

But maybe that's okay. Maybe scratching the surface and still gaining a lot is significant. Maybe anyone brave enough to watch it more than once would have it all made clear.

I don't think I'll ever watch it again. But I don't regret watching/being almost suffocated by it once.

Most of this movie consists of people addressing the camera, while surrounded by ugly puppets and other pieces of junk. I'm astounded by the positive reviews. I'm left with only a slightly better knowledge as to why many Germans followed Hitler. This film would have made a much better book, with footnotes, citations of sources, and suggestions for further reading. But perhaps that was impossible. As I believe George Harrison once said, "Avant-garde means haven't got a clue." What is the difference between someone talking to you while he sits next to a candelabra and your reading what he has to say in a book? The same goes for speakers with old war film clips as background. I suppose one could argue that watching this film is a more visceral experience than reading a book on the same subject. However, this argument is undercut if the visceral experience is nausea.

I saw this film when in premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in 1977. Even 25 years later I can recall the stunning imagery and complexity of this landmark film.

To understand Hitler, to understand Germany, to understand the culture of the German people and their subsequent spiral into the vortex of World War II, this film is a must see.

It's unfortunate that it is not available on DVD (or VHS).

At a running time of over seven hours, the film festival people offered two intermissions during the showing. If you ever get to see this film be prepared for a test of your physical as well as your mental endurance.

My Rating : 8/10

Surreal, trance-like fairytale nightmare about the little man who wanted to be the most supreme.

Intelligent doesn't cut it for this masterpiece - it is way beyond that. An abstract, eccentric and caricature-ish depiction of the rise and fall of the madness and sickness that is Hitler.

Seek it out if you can.