Whether Hitler was gay or not, how sexual (or not) he was,... these points will always be debatable, and stir great controversy.
This documentary is based on a well researched book by a known (not gay) historian, who claims Hitler was gay, after dedicating a good part of his life to researching the claim. He and many other eloquent characters (including Hitler era survivors) are interviewed masterfully in this film, alternating with extraordinary vintage images, rarely seen - even for those who think they've seen it all.
These "lost" images alone make this film a must watch. Additionally, the arguments (pro and con) about Hitler's sexuality are very well told using cinema as a medium, especially when compared to a book as a medium for this debate. The live testimonies in both German and English, from contemporary intellectuals, and from witnesses who were there 60 or 70 years ago, plus uncovered "secret" letters, passionate arguments from the "he was gay" camp and the "he wasn't gay at all" side ALL come together to make for a powerful documentary.
A must watch, and a shame it has been restricted mainly to gay film festivals so far. The film is of great interest to all; proof that even the worst monster is often a mere human, surrounded by all the speculative gossip we all suffer: a complex contradictory paradox, ultimately unable to really decipher after death. But it's sure fascinating to speculate with so many "irrefutable theories" and passionate opinions abound.
This documentary is based on a well researched book by a known (not gay) historian, who claims Hitler was gay, after dedicating a good part of his life to researching the claim. He and many other eloquent characters (including Hitler era survivors) are interviewed masterfully in this film, alternating with extraordinary vintage images, rarely seen - even for those who think they've seen it all.
These "lost" images alone make this film a must watch. Additionally, the arguments (pro and con) about Hitler's sexuality are very well told using cinema as a medium, especially when compared to a book as a medium for this debate. The live testimonies in both German and English, from contemporary intellectuals, and from witnesses who were there 60 or 70 years ago, plus uncovered "secret" letters, passionate arguments from the "he was gay" camp and the "he wasn't gay at all" side ALL come together to make for a powerful documentary.
A must watch, and a shame it has been restricted mainly to gay film festivals so far. The film is of great interest to all; proof that even the worst monster is often a mere human, surrounded by all the speculative gossip we all suffer: a complex contradictory paradox, ultimately unable to really decipher after death. But it's sure fascinating to speculate with so many "irrefutable theories" and passionate opinions abound.