The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler: Leading Millions into the Abyss
TV Show · Documentary · History

Adolf Hitler was, arguably, the most extraordinary leader who has ever lived. He left behind a legacy of destruction without parallel. Yet given his violent and hate-filled character, why did millions support him? We examine Hitler’s relationship with the people he led with the help of testimony, archive film and reconstructions.

2012 · 58m
Starring Laurence Rees
Director Laurence Rees

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Episode 1
    How did Adolf Hitler form such a connection with millions of Germans? British historian Laurence Rees looks at the seemingly unlikely figure who generated such fervent support and devotion from his country. This first episode looks at how his alleged ‘charisma’ played a key role in his success as a leader, and dispels the myth that he somehow hypnotized a nation.
    49m
  • EPISODE 2
    Episode 2
    At the peak of his popularity, Hitler led his people to war in 1939 and invaded France in 1940. Huge numbers gathered in Nuremberg to celebrate their leader. Yet he had not hypnotized his people into following him – they did so willingly. In this second episode, British historian Laurence Rees finds that Hitler’s ultimate aim was to take Germany into a war of racial conquest to gain a new empire.
    48m
  • EPISODE 3
    Episode 3
    In the 1930s, Hitler made ambitious boasts about what lay ahead for Germany and, at first, the war went well for the nation. But as it progressed, the successes stopped coming. In the last episode of the series, British historian Laurence Rees reveals how Hitler struggled to maintain his appeal in his final years – yet still managed to cling to power as the Red Army arrived at his bunker.
    50m

Related

Cast & Crew

  • L‌R
    Laurence Rees
    Host
  • L‌R
    Laurence Rees
    Director
  • L‌R
    Laurence Rees
    Producer
  • L‌R
    Laurence Rees
    Writer

About

The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler: Leading Millions into the Abyss

Documentary

Adolf Hitler was, arguably, the most extraordinary leader who has ever lived. He left behind a legacy of destruction without parallel. Yet given his violent and hate-filled character, why did millions support him? We examine Hitler’s relationship with the people he led with the help of testimony, archive film and reconstructions.

Information

Studio
BBC2
Released
2012
Rated
TV-14
Region of Origin
United Kingdom
© 2012 LR History TV Ltd

Languages

Original Audio
English (United Kingdom)
Audio

English (United Kingdom) (AAC)

Subtitles

English (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions (CC) refer to subtitles in the available language with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

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  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
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  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
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  • Malaysia (English)
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