Inside the Third Reich

This movie is a fine adaptation of Albert Speer's autobiography of the same name. It is at its best when showing us the vicious backstabbing and tawdry competition among Hitler's top men. Speer walks among these power-hungry vipers like an aristocrat among peasants; indeed, the movie can be faulted for taking Speer too much at his own evaluation, and not showing how he was corrupted and influenced by the company he kept. Some of the other characterizations are not quite accurate either - Speer's wife, Marguerite, in reality was not the voice of conscience continuously warning him that what he was doing was wrong and they were all doomed. Other biographies have revealed her to be generally uncritical and in some ways pleased with her elite position as the wife of one of Germany's top men. And while Speer's father was a liberal and against the Nazis, their relationship was not as warm and open as shown here, and Speer was not greatly influenced by him. In fact, it is hard to believe that Speer could have easily followed the path he did in life if all the most important, beloved and admired people in his life had been as clear-sighted and vocal about his mistakes as they are shown to be here. The movie thus falsifies some of the historical atmosphere, and overlooks to what extent perfectly respectable middle-class people in Germany thought Hitler was wonderful. But these flaws are outweighed by the movie's strengths - Derek Jacobi gives a stunning performance as Hitler. One can almost imagine how charismatic and appealing he must have been, as he switches from charm to humour to passion as required. A wonderful scene is just before the Nuremberg Rally, where Hitler stands in front of a series of mirrors, practicing his trademark gestures - arms folded, fists clenching - while talking quietly to Speer about the great future ahead of them. The nature of Hitler as a performer and actor has never been shown as clearly. Ian Holm also gives a great performance as Goebbels - repulsive, unshakeably fanatical and cold-blooded, yet also dangerously intelligent and even witty. This is a view of WWII from a particular angle, and it thus has a lot of gaps (for instance, Speer claimed never to have really known what was happening to the Jews) but it is still engrossing and well worth watching.

Rutger Hauer brilliantly plays the Nazi architect Albert Speer in a made for tv movie based on his memoirs. Being based on Speer's memoirs obviously Speer is presented in a better light than the other nazi heads of power, but the drama is evenly balanced and indeed interesting. 6 of 10

This is an adaptation of Albert Speer's autobiography by the same name. The story itself is, of course, told from one point of view, Speer's. However, it is a riveting story overall. But I didn't think that Rutger Hauer had his heart in this one. His performance just seemed a bit off and he, unfortunately, was the star, playing Albert Speer. I thought that Derek Jacobi did a wonderful job as Adolph Hitler and he even sort of looked like him. The story is a pretty strong one, and the film holds up pretty well even given Hauer's somewhat lame acting. The remainder of the cast, which includes Sir John Gielgud, Blythe Danner, Randy Quaid, Elke Sommer and Ian Holm, all do a pretty good job and the film is overall fairly enjoyable. However, as I mentioned, it is told from only one viewpoint. A good film but not a great one.

And this time, the all-time Nazi sympathizer. All potential historical inaccuracies aside, this is quite an unsettling film. Young, opportunist architect Albert Speer (Hauer) finds himself caught up in the Nazi party, maintaining an air of ignorance of Hitler's insanity and monstrosity. Instead Speer becomes his best friend and a bit of a tragic hero in the long run, as he makes an ernest stab at trying to clean up his mess towards the close of the war. Hauer is suave and determined to the last. A worthwhile mini-series pic, with a great supporting cast and plenty of Hauer to go around. Some may have a hard time with the self-congratulatory tone.

Based in large part on the memoirs of Albert Speer, Inside The Third Reich tells the story of Nazi Germany seen from the only Nazi insider to write his memoirs. By pleading guilty with a ringing mea culpa Albert Speer got 20 years inside Spandau Prison for his part in creating the Nazi machine which brought the world to war.

Rutger Hauer plays Speer who post World War I was a promising architectural student and protege of Trevor Howard who is the voice of old Germany. Hauer gets invited to a Nazi rally and hears Adolph Hitler speak and is convinced this is Germany's future and restoration among the great nations.

As an architect he wants to do great things, have his name on some indestructible edifices that will stand the test of time. Who better to follow than a man whose ambition is to create a Germany that will dominate for a thousand years?

Speer's family is also part of old Germany and are not thrilled with Hauer's decision to embrace the Nazi cause. John Gielgud and Maria Schell play Hauer's parents and Blythe Danner his wife Margarethe. Concerned with surviving in a country gone mad, Danner focuses in on being wife and mother and pointedly does not associate with Hitler or the gang around him.

A lot of very good players have essayed the role of Hitler. Coming to mind are Everett Sloane, Alec Guinness Bobby Watson,. I don't think he's ever been better played than by Derek Jacobi. What Jacobi does in playing Hitler from the 20s until the end is capture the charisma of the man. The guy who looks like Charlie Chaplin was a spellbinding orator. Even in English, Jacobi captures the essence of that charisma and his ability to move and sway a crowd. That first speech that Hauer hears leaves you no doubt why so many followed him as he reduces complex questions to simple answers, the great skill all demagogues have had through the centuries.

Inside The Third Reich, a great film and another telling of a tale that needs to be told and retold.