DVD
Hitler
The Rise of Evil

Starring: Robert Carlyle, Jena Malone and Stockard Channing
Momentum Pictures
RRP: £17.99
MP282D
Certificate: 18
Available now


Hitler - The Rise of Evil explores Adolf Hitler's rise to power during the years prior to World War II and how the German society of post World War I allowed one person to manipulate and rule them, thereby giving up their own rights and personal freedoms. Robert Carlyle portrays the dictator in the compelling mini-series nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards...

This is a wonderfully produced production which is fine as long as you take some of the events depicted as a drama based on true events. This is not a historically accurate retelling of events. To start with, there is no historical evidence that Hitler killed his father. It is implied here that he may have poisoned him - although that is not totally clear.

It is also a shame that this didn't spend more time getting to understand the man who was responsible for so many deaths. It seemed to rush through how he and his party managed to become so popular. It would have been interesting to focus a little more on Hitler's private life. It is hinted that he sexually abused his niece and that he was clinically insane, but these areas were never fully examined. Instead Hitler is shown to increase in popularity by what appear to be a string of rather fortunate accidents.

Robert Carlyle is eerily convincing as Hitler, a man motivated by anger and misdirected by ego. With an impressive line up of co-stars, including Peter O'Toole, Stockard Channing, Jena Malone and Matthew Modine, this is one dramatisation that will be remembered for years to come.

This is crying out for a follow-up drama on the events that unfolded in Germany during World War II. Quite simply breathtaking.

Nick Smithson

Buy this item online
We compare prices online so you get the cheapest deal!
(Please note all prices exclude P&P - although Streets Online charge a flat £1 fee regardless of the number of items ordered). Click on the logo of the desired store below to purchase this item.


cover
£13.48 (Amazon.co.uk)
   
£14.99 (Blackstar.co.uk)
   

£15.49 (Streetsonline.co.uk)

All prices correct at time of going to press.