The movie opens with a series of affidavits attesting to its authenticity, as if it already expects its accuracy to come under suspicion. At least, that's what I thought when I saw various scenes and conversations that appeared to be badly interpolated from known or widely accepted historical facts.
The basic problem is the fallacy that you can't go wrong in saying bad things about a bad guy. Unfortunately, this oversimplified formula is applied here and takes the subjective high ground. This is most obvious, in the 21st century, where Hitler's anti-smoking policy is hyped. An analysis of this from a 1973-based perspective shows an arrogant, self-indulgent dictator imposing his own killjoy whims on those imprisoned in his presence. On the other hand, what we see now is a top-level politician banning smoking in a very small portion of all government offices. No one is to blame for playing on dated values, however this does highlight the subjectivity and specious moral judgments being made.
In fact, there is also a good deal of realism. Real historical events are referenced and Hitler's real attitudes towards certain individuals and groups are also demonstrated. But they are tacked on to the unconvincing drama.
However, if you did like this movie, you probably won't like The Bunker (1981) with Anthony Hopkins. It's much more even in it's portrayal of history's easiest portrayable villain, if you don't mind Goebbels sounding like he's from... what, New York?
The basic problem is the fallacy that you can't go wrong in saying bad things about a bad guy. Unfortunately, this oversimplified formula is applied here and takes the subjective high ground. This is most obvious, in the 21st century, where Hitler's anti-smoking policy is hyped. An analysis of this from a 1973-based perspective shows an arrogant, self-indulgent dictator imposing his own killjoy whims on those imprisoned in his presence. On the other hand, what we see now is a top-level politician banning smoking in a very small portion of all government offices. No one is to blame for playing on dated values, however this does highlight the subjectivity and specious moral judgments being made.
In fact, there is also a good deal of realism. Real historical events are referenced and Hitler's real attitudes towards certain individuals and groups are also demonstrated. But they are tacked on to the unconvincing drama.
However, if you did like this movie, you probably won't like The Bunker (1981) with Anthony Hopkins. It's much more even in it's portrayal of history's easiest portrayable villain, if you don't mind Goebbels sounding like he's from... what, New York?