Why do some historical figures persist? This is the focal point of the 2020 film The Meaning of Hitler. Only this time, instead of a heroic figure like Martin Luther King, Jr. or George Washington, the focus is on one of history’s most notorious villains: Adolf Hitler.
The film, based on the 1978 book by journalist Raimund Pretzel, dives into the cultural fascination revolving around the former Nazi leader. Filmmakers Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein explore how Hitler still inspires countless documentaries, TV shows, and current far-right Neo-Nazi groups. The film attempts to understand the lingering fascination with one of history’s most villainous people.
You have a multitude of perspectives here, trying to make sense of someone so wicked. Novelist Martin Amis says the former leader “resists understanding.” Israeli professor Yehuda Bauer sees no reason to try to understand Hitler, as “you cannot put (him) on a psychologist’s couch.” The film covers a lot of ground, going from various modern documentaries (as well as Riefenstahl’s still-controversial Triumph of the Will), social media, and real-life groups. There’s a lot to take in here, and the erratic pace of the film may be off-putting to viewers. However, the film is a must-see for history and film students. Academic librarians should consider adding this riveting documentary to their history and biography film collections.