Hitler: A Career

Hitler: A Career is a remarkable documentary film from 1977 that takes a comprehensive look at one of history's most reviled figures - Adolf Hitler. The documentary employs a collection of historical footage to provide a complex and deep understanding of Hitler's rise to power, reign, and his eventual downfall. The direction involves Joachim Fest and Christian Herrendoerfer, accomplished historians whose expertise in the era allows them to present the contents in a compelling and engaging manner. The film features significant narration by renowned German actor Gert Westphal, along with the English-speaking variant guided by a skilled British actor, Stephen Murray.

The film starts with an account of Hitler's early life and moves through the significant events, painting a complete portrait of the man who became synonymous with hate and devastation. Hitler: A Career is not simply a catalog of Hitler's life; instead, it explores the sociopolitical weather that allowed his rise to surprising dominance within a civilization regarded as one of the globe's most cultivated. In essence, the film raises challenging and intricate questions about the individual's place and the collective consciousness in contributing and shaping historical events. The figure in the focus is Artur Axmann, Hitler Youth’s leader and a firm endorser of Hitler’s strategies, whose testimonies in the film provide first-hand insights into Hitler's psyche and functioning.

As opposed to other documentaries, which merely recount the events, Hitler: A Career seeks to scrutinize how Hitler was able to exploit the conditions of Weimar Germany to ascend to power. The film takes a profound dive into understanding the tactics that Hitler employed to mold public sentiment in his favor, his capacity to influence, the charisma that moved millions, and the paranoia that inspired terror nationwide.

Intertwined with this political manipulation is the exploration of Hitler's character. Gert Westphal’s narration provides an in-depth dissection of Hitler's personal ambitions, insecurities, fears, and prejudices that eventually shaped his horrific policies. The film neither demonizes Hitler beyond what was already known nor presents him as a product of his times but seeks to humanize him, a challenging task considering the enormity of his crimes.

On the other hand, Stephen Murray provides the narration to the English version and does an equally compelling job of guiding the viewer through the narrative. His calm, even-toned delivery is profoundly impactful: delivering both the gravity of the historical events and the emotions that befit them without ever resorting to melodrama.

Another fascinating aspect of Hitler: A Career is the first-hand accounts provided by Artur Axmann, a man who personally knew Hitler and was incredibly loyal to him. His views provide a unique perspective, offering a rarely seen glimpse into the inner workings of Hitler's mind and regime. They present an invaluable opportunity to delve deeper into one of the darkest periods of human history from someone who was actually there.

Moreover, the film employs extensive archival footage, which serves to accentuate the realism and authenticity of the documentary. The B&W clips add gravitas and a sense of historical authenticity to the narrative, putting the viewer directly into the historical context.

Hitler: A Career also examines the legacy of the man and the Third Reich, exploring the aftermath of WWII and the scars that Hitler's reign left on the world. It questions how such an individual could rise to power not in spite of his openly expressed prejudice and hate, but because of it. The film explores how the world was able to rebuild itself after such a massive devastation, and how Hitler's name remains a taboo subject in many parts of the world, even today.

The film does not seek to provide any definitive answers or make moral judgments but presents a terrifying study of a man capable of unleashing such destruction. Hitler: A Career is an intriguing, significant, and haunting chronicle of Hitler's life, his tyrannical reign, and the indelible mark he made on world history. As such, it remains essential viewing for anyone interested in the painstaking analysis of one of history's most notorious figures.