The Magic Face

This is a thoroughly fascinating movie about Hitler and World War II. The plot makes one wonder if possibly that's what really happened with the destruction of the Nazis and Germany in the 1940's.

It would be great if Columbia Pictures would put this movie on video tape, still better if they would make a new picture of this story.

We are given an introduction that tells us we are about to see a film that may or may not be true. It's not true. So, just clearing that up from the start. There are so many inaccuracies in the set-up and in the final days of Hitler in the bunker. Who on earth is this Patricia Knight (Vera) character?! Anyway, what we get is a film that is ok to watch as we are given another theory as to what really happened to Hitler. It is, of course, complete nonsense.

I've never understood the whole butler thing. Why would anyone want to spend their life voluntarily in the servitude of somebody else!! Especially a member of the male species, who are innately programmed to assert dominance not encompass submissiveness. Unless they fancied them. In this film, Hitler's original valet Manfred Inger (Wagner) proves this homosexual theory as he looks adoringly at Hitler in one particular scene. It is an interesting point to note that nobody else has mentioned but everyone can see.

Check out the cast list on this film - there is someone called Rolf Wanka! Ha ha.

I recall this movie well. I was fourteen years of age when it was released in 1951 and lived in White Plains,NY. I viewed this picture twice due to it's unique perspective. Luther Adler's view of this period of history was not only interesting, but thought provoking as well as fascinating. Felt Mr. Adler's acting was convincing, along with his unusual look at history. Why can't this interesting movie be made available in either DVD or VHS? I also viewed Adler's role as Hitler in the James Mason film "The Desert Fox". I could be mistaken, but it's my recollection that Mr. Adler, and or the producers challenged viewers to disprove the story; and if proved correct would receive a monetary reward. Please comment!

I saw this movie in 1951 in a theater in Brooklyn, NY with my grandmother for sure and maybe my mother. I was young, only seven years old.For some reason its always stuck in my mind. I remember Luther Adler and that it was in black and white. Something I can't pinpoint exactly was fascinating about it. Possibly it was Adler's performance, the film seemed grim and dark like the subject of World War Two. I remember him ranting and raving, like Hitler would have. Never knew Adler was related to Stella Adler the acting teacher. If it was available, I'd buy it in a minute. I wish it was. Maybe if enough of us comment on it, they would re-release it in VHS or some other form. Luther Adler was an excellent actor. I remember him as the Israeli Prime Minister in CAST A GIANT SHADOW. I also remember him in DOA with Edmond O'Brien as the bad guy,but can't remember him in DESERT FOX with James Mason, another cinema giant.

A fanciful & fictional account of an actor assassinating Hitler, assuming his identity and running war time Germany to ensure an Allied victory over the Third Reich.

A dry clinical approach to this production, interspersed with documentary style narrative, with added archival footage of the major moments in WW2, tends to aid in the attempt to pass this off as something more than just another war story.

Luther Adler's performance is the lynchpin binding a rather curious effort to create a different style of storytelling, all the while still entertaining in a way that the viewing audience was not accustomed.

Another old WW2 movie that is hard to find, but well worth the effort.