The Dark Charisma of Adolph Hitler – BBC2

[naomi24]

Did anyone watch this tonight? Part 1 of 3. Absolutely fascinating. I wasn't sure whether to post this here or in History - or even in Body & Soul under a psychology tag - but if you're interested it really is worth watching.

[Slapshot]

Get the book, it's a fantastic read especially if you've read a lot of other bio type books on the Nazi's and Hitler, Prof Ian Kershaw's books are spectacular

[Calibax]

I agree Naomi, It was fascinating. I'll definitely be watching the next two. It's always puzzled me how such an unattractive man with vile ideas managed to entrance a sophisticated and civilised country like Germany.

[Mick-Talbot]

It's always fascinated me why he thought that tash was as good idea.

[parkie]

Is that what it was?
I always thought it was a dead caterpillar.
I recorded the prog but haven't watched it yet.

[mikey4444]

rjsdosn...what on earth are you talking about ?

[naomi24]

Thanks Slapshot.

Calibax, as the programme said, he told the people what they wanted to hear - but watching him perform and listening to his ranting speeches I can't imagine how any sane person witnessed that without thinking he was utterly mad.

[emmie]

i watched most of it, and will watch the other two parts. My thoughts and not just because of this programme was that he was psychologically unbalanced, and the German people were as complicit as i have always thought in promoting, supporting this evil man. The usual rhetoric is that they didn't know, about the Jews, the concentration camps, and so forth, well sorry i have never believed that. The figures vary of the dead in WW2, 60 to 90 million, if someone had succeeded in eliminating him early on, this could have been avoided, with hindsight all things are possible. A truly evil person, who killed many, including millions of his own people, despot, ruler, charismatic perhaps but i can't and never will see him as anything but evil personified.

[horseshoes]

Have a read of Hitlers Willing Execxutioners by Daniel Goldhagen. Not a nice subject but a fascinating read - and quite an eye opener if you ever thought that the killing of Jews was all done by the German SS. A good insight into how reviled and feared the Jews were in Germany. As you say Naomi AH said just what people wanted to hear.

[sandyRoe]

He seems to have been the Devil incarnate.

[deggers316]

watch "downfall" dvd its in subtitles, excellent,hilters last few weeks

[islasmum]

I haven't watched the programme yet, but do intend to do so very soon - I seem to remember that I read something ages ago that it was possible that Hitler had syphilis which may partly have led to madness and megalomania - of course, it doesn't forgive any of the evil he perpetuated, but a possible explanation to some of it.

[plautus]

Unfortunately my machine failed to record the prog. Let us not forget, though that Hitler was but one of a trio of contemporary dictators (Stalin and Mussolini). I must confess a sneaking admiration for Mussolini, as the worst he did to his enemies was make them eat live frogs!

[naomi24]

Islasmum, if he did he must have had it from a young age. He seemed raving mad from the off!!

Deggers, thanks.

[LazyGun]

Have to say its a rather magnificent title for a show.

I have yet to see it, but I do intend watching. 1st episode recorded.

[naomi24]

LG, it is a bit of a fancy title - but having watched the programme, it's a fitting one. The people must have been mesmerised by him. Had I been a member if his audience, I can’t imagine myself being influenced – I could only think he was stark, raving mad – but, unlike me, they were unaware of what was to come, so I suppose that counts for something.