Who have Immortalized Evil Hitler? Making a Film, a Drama or a Documentary recreating history in the form of drama or narrating something of the past needs great dedication. It requires extensive study and analysis of all aspects relevant to this. Successive films have been made on Adolf Hitler; the mysterious man. The Documentary Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial released in 2024 is another effort. But Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial is a documentary having enactment of some events.
As a documentary Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial consisting of 6 episodes; Origin of Evil, The Third Reich Rises, Hitler in Power, The Road to Ruin, Crimes against Humanity and The Reckoning tries to shed light on several aspects of life of Hitler and the NAZI party. Scholars like Francine Hirsch; Professor of History with specialization on Russian and European affairs at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Devin Pendas; Professor of History at Boston College, Alexander Richie; author of Warsaw 1944, , Benjamin Carter Hett; author of the Death of Democracy, Richard J. Evans Author of The Coming of the Third Reich, Christian Goeschel; an author of several Books on Hitler, and such others express their opinion on Hitler.
The series refers to the account of a Journalist who came to Germany in 1934 to cover the event of annual meet NAZI. He has stated that he had been there for six years. However, the Documentary began with a trial conducted jointly by Britain, USA, France and Russia. The trial was going on against the captured and surrendered NAZI leaders after the death of Hitler. Significantly, there was no representation from Germany to participate in the trial process except the NAZI leaders. This in some form or other reminds The Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919 which sealed the destiny of Germany and compelled Berlin to run the country at the behest of winning axis.
But the Documentary starts with an intentional approach of defaming Hitler. No commentator appreciated Hitler's talent. Remarks like "not a good student" " not a good painter", frustrated individual because of troubled past, reference to Hitler's parents, Hitler coming to Germany from Austria with fake identity, role played by Hitler as German soldier during First World War and others. Károly Kozma played the role of Adolf Hitler. The documentary shows Hitler becoming a politician from an army accidentally while arguing against someone in a Restaurant.
No doubt, this is a documentary. But it follows same approach; blaming Hitler for everything, calling Hitler war-monger, blood thirsty and enemy of humanity. This is surprising that all the commentators remained silent throughout hours-long discussion about USA, Britain and France. One of them of course says that World War-2 took place from the ashes of Treaty of Versailles. But as far as devastation caused by USA in Japan and Russia making worst human rights violation after entering into Germany, there has virtually been no statement. To prove Hitler an evil, they dismissed the ideas like Hitler's patriotism, German nationalism and others that may change the narrative. But the commentators admitted Hitler's oratory skill but portrayal of Hitler's speech shows mere insanity and hollow emotions to prove his point during his public speech.
But all these are not unexpected. This has been the saga for decades. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that after so many decades, Hitler is relevant and occupies a significant place in the arena of art particularly movie, drama, or documentary which is certainly exceptional. This Documentary also proves that there is an unusual attraction and immense curiosity about Adolf Hitler. There have always been dictators and the saga of conflict is nothing new. But one thing is true that Hitler lived as a king and courted death as a king. Despite power, nobody could ever attain the status of Hitler.
The story of World War-2 has been narrated several times. During the War, there were several important leaders across the world. But people are not interested to know about Hitler's contemporaries. Even despite being the exponent of Fascism and a close ally of Hitler, Benito Mussolini is hardly remembered. This proves like his speech, personality of Adolf Hitler has an intoxicating attraction. There is no reason to justify what Hitler did. After all, no point can justify war or conflict.
But if Hitler bears a significant position in the perception of common men and remains as the central theme of creative activity even 2024, the need is to perceive the German dictator with a different approach. Along with the negativities in Hitler, his positive qualities should also be highlighted. The rise of Hitler may be termed as the rise of evil. But this also shows the effort of an isolated and neglected individual to attain higher status. There is a long saga of struggle behind the rise of Hitler. This struggle can never be trivialized. After all, Adolf Hitler curved his destiny himself.
If the Documentary projected those facts that transformed Hitler to a ruthless ruler, the psychological issues behind this and the then socio-political reality both in Germany and Europe, this would have been worth watching. What were the factors that changed the perception of a boy who once wanted to become Father of Church? Who killed the artist within Hitler and transformed him into a villain? Why did Hitler prefer arms to music instruments? Without narrating child Adolf with painting brush and music instrument in hands, his devotion and extreme desire to associate with the Church, discussion on Hitler can never be comprehensive. But be as notorious, Hitler is ever present. The creative works made on Hitler have virtually immortalized as someone representing dark. The dramatic and cinematic endeavours or Documentaries on Hitler still attract people. Then who has immortalized Hitler as an evil, Hitler himself or those who have painted his character so far?