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Hitler: The Rise of Evil (TV Mini-Series) [2003]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Starring Robert Carlyle as the Nazi dictator, Hitler: The Rise of Evil is a lavish made-for-TV two-parter that traces Adolf Hitler's early life, including his boyhood in Austria and impoverished period as a struggling artist in Vienna, culminating in 1934, by which time he had assumed the chancellorship of Germany. We bear witness to the rhetoric, ruthlessness and obsessive determination that propelled him to power, despite the best efforts of opponents like Matthew Modine's campaigning journalist. His inadequate but despotic relationships with women, such as his tragic half-niece Geli Raubal, are also examined.

Carlyle fares very well in what is traditionally considered the invidious task of bringing Hitler to dramatic life, conveying him plausibly as an impenetrably evil man, complex but irredeemable. However, this drama fails to explain just how and why such a pathetic, psychotic, unattractive individual such as Hitler could make such an immediate, profound impression on, for example, Ernst Hanfstangl and his wife Nina (ER's Julianne Margulies). Disproportionate attention is paid to Hitler's relationship to this American-born couple, perhaps as a sop to US audiences. In contrast, the social, cultural and political context of inter-war Germany is skimpily depicted here, making Hitler's ascendancy seem almost absurd.

On the DVD: Hitler: The Rise of Evil is, as you would expect, a decent transfer from the TV original, but there are no additional features. --David Stubbs


Getting Better
Review date: 2008-09-21 Rating: 6 out of 10

Any book, film, radio drama, or TV documentary that concerns the life of Adolf Hitler is bound to elicit strong feelings. That was true during the man's political career and it remains true today. Though we are now in the twenty-first century, the boundaries of political correctness remain present regarding what can and cannot be said about this individual. That disclaimer aside, let me start off by saying that this dramatisation of the early (pre-Second World War) part of Hitler's life is a strong step toward coming to terms with who and what he was. Robert Carlyle's performance is absolutely compelling, but there are some serious drawbacks that future dramatisations will have to work around if they are to match the headway that historical studies have made. This is always a tough, uphill road because what the public receives through first-class television programmes always lags behind what half-way decent histories have achieved. As I have said, it's hard to fault Carlyle's performance. He's excellent. Nor did the set, the costumes, or the performances of the other actors disappoint. But here's what did disappoint:

1. The script. Two things were grossly overstated. Firstly, Hitler's antisemitism. He certainly was an antisemite, and that did need to be made clear. But the TV series conveys the impression that antisemitism was the sole ideology behind his politics. I'm sorry, but that was only a part of his thinking, and not the biggest part at that. Where, for example, do we see Hitler's opinions concerning German re-armament? You would think, as a militarist, that this would be something worth mentioning. Apparently it is not. There are lots of SA parading around, but no mention is made whatsoever of Hitler's opinion regarding international affairs. The words "France," "England," "Russia," "Japan" and "Italy" seem not to have been part of his vocabulary. Personally, I found this rather odd. Antisemitism was important, yes, but Hitler's dreams of a pure Germany seem to have crowded out any notion of a greater Germany. Since I already knew that Hitler was an antisemite, the portrayal seemed, well, a bit too simplistic.

2. Secondly, Hitler's insanity. There's no doubt that he was seriously disturbed in some way, especially toward the end of his life. I could throw a few terms around, but I'm no psychoanalyst and it wouldn't prove much. Still, it seems to me that putting him in the "insane" or "mad" box almost from day one is just too easy. It makes us feel more comfortable, because then he becomes explainable, containable, and possibly understandable. A much less convenient idea (for television and those who like things simple) could be that he was, in fact, quite sane for much of his early career. If we say that, of course, we then open up a whole lot of delicate questions about what would drive someone toward the path Hitler took. That's not easy, and I'm not surprised the TV series shied away from it, but future efforts have got to be brave and at least pose the possibility of a sane dictator.

3. The music. It is decent enough, but remains sinister throughout. It always speaks to what the viewer already supposes, namely: "This man is evil, my God, won't somebody stop him? He's on a course to destroy the world." In other words, it takes a number of future events (Hitler's appointment as Chancellor; World War II; the Final Solution; his suicide) as a foregone conclusion. To us, of course, they are. But to the Hitler of the 1900's, 1910's, 1920's, and 1930's, were they? Only if you are a total believer in fate. Hitler was a man, a destructive, antisemitic, ultra-militaristic, demagogic, monomaniacal warmonger, but still nonetheless a man. The music, however, would have us believe that he was not a man, but rather some force from the lowest regions of the underworld.

4. The length. Quite simply, it is just not possible to encompass the range of national, political, social, personal, and moral issues that plagued Hitler's life in a drama that lasts around three hours. Hitler's life influenced the course of history like nothing else in the twentieth century. He was an awful man who, until the war years, was beloved of millions of Germans who voted him into power (a curious fact this TV series does not really explain). Future efforts have got to be much larger than this. Now and then the series seemed to rush through events, which left me feeling giddy. Of course, this was a quality of the times, but it's also a quality of a budgeting / editing process that cuts out whole swathes of a history which we really ought to have seen more of.

Once again, I enjoyed watching this a lot. I also think it's a solid step along the way toward more thorough efforts in the future. Hitler's not going away. He'll always be with us (just tune into UK History, you'll see what I mean). But I'm still waiting for a director to brave the watchdogs of political correctness and look Hitler full in the face, with history book in one hand and compassion in the other.

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Reviews


Half good / half terrible
Review date: 2008-08-04 Rating: 4 out of 10

Some viewers of the film have said its great and other terrible. Personally, I can see both view as haaving valid points. The film shows very well the feelings of Hitler towards the Jews/the Reds and anybody who dissagreed with his views. His twisted character is on display quite accurately, his rise into power is shown in various stages through time from his childhood (very briefly), to his failures as an artist, onto WW1 and then how his followers increase, confidence swells and power increases. However, as previous viewers mentioned the roll of the American couple is completely overblown and VERY uninteresting. The film does not cover WW2, which is dissapointing but thats the choice the producers made. You would learn far more about this difficult subject by watching one of many good documentaries as this film tries to then cram 20 years of politics and development into a short space of time. The acting from Robert Carlisle captures the aggresive mentality of Hitler but for me doesnt quite pull it off with enough realism, it looks too acted out (if that makes sence). It does show Hitler in 'the rising of evil' and zooms through the important years of 1919-1938 for me too suddenly, and somewhat lacking in detail. On a purely personal note, a chilling moment was when some prisoners were taken to Dachau concentration camp, (somewhere I visited last year)... gave me a chill down the spine.

NO DOWNFALL BUT STILL VERY GOOD!!
Review date: 2008-07-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

This may suffer from some historical inaccuracy, and there's some miscasting on some of the main characters BUT as made for TV movies go, this is very decent viewing!
The production values are very high, the acting is strong, and Robert Carlyle gives a very committed performance as Adolf Hitler. Nobody will ever compare to Bruno Ganz's stunning portrayal in 2004's Downfall, but this is more than worthy - very intense, but obviously not in German (The movie is US made & fully English Language).
It's always enjoyable to see the backstory behind (in)famous events, and this is compelling viewing. Despite it's flaws, it's still very informative.
If you don't own it, buy alongside Downfall; a perfect (and superior) companion piece.

excellent DVD and well worth watching
Review date: 2007-06-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have to hold my hand up and say that I never did see this on the BBC { I believe the original Broadcast was nearly four Hours long } so I am not certain how much was cut out from the Origin ol Broadcast but ' stick with it ' as it does a very good Job .

Episode 1 is 1.28 minuets and Episode 2 is 1.29 minuets

The start of Episode 1 is clearly where the Bulk of it was cut out but ' do not be put off '

As the credits are rolling it quickly shows snapshots from Hitler's Childhood but once the DVD really gets started this has to be one of the most stunning productions I have ever seen.

the core of the DVD explores in great detail the events between 21 st of December 1907 { Hitler's Mothers Death } and the 2 nd of August 1934 { Hindenburg's Death } so we see him fighting in World War I - We see his first encounter The German Worker's Party { Munich 12 th of September 1919 } and his long road to seize control and the rest is history.

In fact ' seize Control is not being Fair because in actual fact there was ' seven elections ' so this was not a quick Take over.

I have been fascinated with this period of History and really I found the DVD filled in the gaps in my Knowledge.

At this point I normally would be banging on about why the Production Company reduced it in length by one Hour but I really do not think it matters - The three hour DVD does a fine Job and Robert Carlyle really does a excellent Job.

Do not be concerned that none of the Actors attempt to put on German accents it really does not matter -

overall a excellent DVD and well worth watching

Between this and ' Downfall ' you have a Complete picture

slightly cockney Adolf
Review date: 2007-01-20 Rating: 6 out of 10

I think I'd have preferred it if every one was attempting German accents just to add or increase authenticity. Carlyle has enough energy to portray the loathsome venom of the main character but there's a certain quality or sheen missing although it is ultimately an engaging piece if not simply out of interest as to how this obviously well known character's development is to be played out. Historically it seemed a little rushed but overall not bad

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Stockard Channing
Jena Malone
Robert Carlyle
Matthew Modine
Julianna Margulies

Creators:
Robert Carlyle (Primary Contributor)
Stockard Channing (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Momentum Pictures
Manufacturer: Momentum Pictures
EAN: 5060049140827
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-10-20
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 2003-05-18
Language: English (Original Language)

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