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The Meaning of Hitler

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The Meaning of Hitler

Released Aug 13, 2021

1h 32m

Documentary

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81%

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26 Reviews

42%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

THE MEANING OF HITLER is a provocative interrogation of our culture's fascination with Hitler and Nazism set against the backdrop of the current rise of white supremacy, the normalization of antisemitism and the weaponization of history itself. Shot in nine countries, the film traces Hitler's movements, his rise to power and the scenes of his crimes as historians and writers, including Deborah Lipstadt, Martin Amis, Sir Richard Evans, Saul Friedlander, Yehuda Bauer, and famed Nazi hunters Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, weigh in on the lasting impact of his virulent ideology. As fears of authoritarianism and fascism now abound, the film explores the myths and misconceptions of our understanding of the past, and the difficult process of coming to terms with it at a time in our history when it seems more urgent than ever.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Particularly interesting and perhaps useful, however, is the film's view of Hitler in the movies and of totalitarianism as theater.

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

RogerEbert.com

The Meaning of Hitler never quite reconciles its central concern of whether continuing to talk about Hitler is an inherently compromised pursuit.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 13, 2021

Full Review

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

"The Meaning of Hitler" takes a multifaceted, often counterintuitive approach to examining the underpinnings of fascism.

Aug 12, 2021

Full Review

Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

In the end, The Meaning of Hitler lands somewhere between an exploration of Hitler as phenomenon and Hitler as person. Unfortunately, some of the movie's most intriguing scenes veer from their intended goal.

Feb 6, 2024

Full Review

Ray Lobo

Battle Royale With Cheese

Perhaps thinking about the meaning of Hitler is a crucial first step in identifying future authoritarians and warding off their seductions.

Sep 16, 2021

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A pointed look back at the creepy Nazi leader by the husband and wife team of Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein.

Rated: B

Aug 27, 2021

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Audience Member

The actually historical things where good but turned into a anti-trump propaganda hit peice

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Omg, WHO finances such an unnecessary, pretentious, ridiculous piece? ANOTHER film to tell us that Hitler was a very, very, very bad guy. What a bore!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

dave d

It's just not very entertaining. It's, in fact, quite a bore! It feels like this all could be explained by an average 5th grade student, but we have a movie that just is blah. Final Score: 3/10

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ridiculous, stupid and insane like everything today. This should never have been made

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/21

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Audience Member

This movie does not say anything new or insightful about Hitler. There's a certain trendiness to the editing and visual style, but that just underscores the absence of purpose. It ends with the trite conclusion that the problem isn't Hitler, it's humanity.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Petra Epperlein

Director

Michael Tucker

Director

Matilda Tucker

Narrator

Michael Tucker

Writer

Petra Epperlein

Producer

Michael Tucker

Producer

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The Meaning of Hitler: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

THE MEANING OF HITLER is a provocative interrogation of our culture's fascination with Hitler and Nazism set against the backdrop of the current rise of white supremacy, the normalization of antisemitism and the weaponization of history itself. Shot in nine countries, the film traces Hitler's movements, his rise to power and the scenes of his crimes as historians and writers, including Deborah Lipstadt, Martin Amis, Sir Richard Evans, Saul Friedlander, Yehuda Bauer, and famed Nazi hunters Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, weigh in on the lasting impact of his virulent ideology. As fears of authoritarianism and fascism now abound, the film explores the myths and misconceptions of our understanding of the past, and the difficult process of coming to terms with it at a time in our history when it seems more urgent than ever.

Director: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker
Producer: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker, Mike Lerner, Dana O'Keefe
Screenwriter: Michael Tucker
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Play/Action Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 13, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 13, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.8K
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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