Hitler: The Rise Of Evil Reviews

clumsy, but has worthwhile moments

This TV drama begins badly, with a very cack-handed telling of Hitler's early life. We are given several short glimpses of events, such as his being beaten as a child, which are presumably there for a reason but are given no development. I will not do the director's work for him, and draw the conclusion that because Hitler was beaten as a child he became who he did. That is lazy storytelling. Once the story reaches Hitler's gradual takeover of the Nazi party, it certainly picks up. Robert Carlyle is excellent, and there are a few other good performances - notably from Jena Malone as his neice (though this character needed a bit more development), and Liev Schreiber as one of Hitler's early sponsors. There are equally some pitiful performances; Matthew Modine as the annoying American, sorry I mean German, journalist, and Zoe Telford as Eva Braun, who is unable to pronounce her own character's name (at least, not consistently with those who address her). To be fair, the Eva Braun story arc is introduced and then quickly abandoned by the film makers. There are definitely aspects of this production that are worthwhile - I liked the parallels between Hitler's path to dictatorship and our own current political situation, however if you only want to watch one Hitler film, wait for the DVD release of 'Der Untergang'.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Very accurate!

This title is a very accurate and historical account of Hitlers rise to power.

It follows Hitler who is excellently played by Robert Carlyle from his humble beggings as a failed artist to the most hated finger in history. Carlysle captures the very soul and essence of Hitler and his performance is the very focal point of the film.

It is not an action block buster but for the accuracy of truth and following of actual real events it's as good as your going to get. That is the main reason it is so enjoyable. Hollywood not managed to get it's frubby little paws into it and twist the story as we know it can.

Riveting viewing.

a drama that bites off more than it can handle

As a fan of Robert Carlyle as well as historical documentaries and fictionalised dramas, I thought I couldn't go wrong with this take on the rise of Hitler. Sadly, the whole venture misfires badly.

The first hour is a mash of Hitler's childhood and war-time years that goes nowhere and creates no insight into the creation and influence of this modern monster. While Carlyle gives a fine effort, he is poorly cast as the young dictator and doesn’t convice, as he simply doesn’t have the seething charisma that drew confused Germans to him at the time. There is also absolutely no indication of the terrible state the German citizens were in to fall for his propaganda, which is so essential to understanding, and learning from, this terrible chain of events.

Though beautifully shot in Prague, this drama simply bites off more than it can handle, covering Hitler’s birth up until 1934. It, therefore, doesn’t show ‘the rise of evil’, it simply speeds through it at break neck speed, showing a man who reads one book and then hates Jews, speaking to a country who immediately agrees with him. The truth was a lot more subtle and insidious than this in the 20’s and 30’s and this drama comes nowhere near portraying it. Without these elements, the making of this drama seems pointless, and the script is way too naïve.

The Rise of Evil would have done better to concentrate on a much shorter period of Hitler‘s early days, with fewer characters. Matthew Modine’s journalist is wholly inappropriate, and too many characters come and go without sense. Anyone who has watches historical documentaries, is interested in this period in history, or has seen other dramas will find this disappointing, if not irritating.

Noah Taylor does a much better job of portraying the bitter, awkward, deluded, failed artist in Max, and shows the young Hitler as a pathetic sociopath, covering the years after he returned from WW1. Neither drama, though compares to the incredible Downfall, however, and Bruno Ganz’s deranged and psychopathic Hitler. So don’t bother with Hitler, Rise of Evil, and rent Downfall, Cross of Iron, or Max instead.

Give it a go

This is a film which has been underated, purely becuase of the Hitler factor.

Rent this film with an open mind, Robert Carlyle delivers this role unlike any other, personally I think he should of won an oscar. If you apperciate a film becuase of the acting played or the way a delicate story is told you can't go wrong with this film.

Its well worth a watch.

clumsy, but has worthwhile moments

This TV drama begins badly, with a very cack-handed telling of Hitler's early life. We are given several short glimpses of events, such as his being beaten as a child, which are presumably there for a reason but are given no development. I will not do the director's work for him, and draw the conclusion that because Hitler was beaten as a child he became who he did. That is lazy storytelling. Once the story reaches Hitler's gradual takeover of the Nazi party, it certainly picks up. Robert Carlyle is excellent, and there are a few other good performances - notably from Jena Malone as his neice (though this character needed a bit more development), and Liev Schreiber as one of Hitler's early sponsors. There are equally some pitiful performances; Matthew Modine as the annoying American, sorry I mean German, journalist, and Zoe Telford as Eva Braun, who is unable to pronounce her own character's name (at least, not consistently with those who address her). To be fair, the Eva Braun story arc is introduced and then quickly abandoned by the film makers. There are definitely aspects of this production that are worthwhile - I liked the parallels between Hitler's path to dictatorship and our own current political situation, however if you only want to watch one Hitler film, wait for the DVD release of 'Der Untergang'.