Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

billcurry-1 Most of this movie consists of people addressing the camera, while surrounded by ugly puppets and other pieces of junk. I'm astounded by the positive reviews. I'm left with only a slightly better knowledge as to why many Germans followed Hitler. This film would have made a much better book, with footnotes, citations of sources, and suggestions for further reading. But perhaps that was impossible. As I believe George Harrison once said, "Avant-garde means haven't got a clue." What is the difference between someone talking to you while he sits next to a candelabra and your reading what he has to say in a book? The same goes for speakers with old war film clips as background. I suppose one could argue that watching this film is a more visceral experience than reading a book on the same subject. However, this argument is undercut if the visceral experience is nausea.

dbborroughs Hans-Jürgen Syberberg's mammoth meditation of Hitler and the German people who brought him to power is something that is only possible to describe as a physical entity.One can not truly explain what effect that it will have on the viewer. Its a four part film who's total running time is close to seven hours Total almost anti-cinematic with static sets, actors playing multiple roles, puppets, music, audio and video of the 1930's and 40's, narration and a dream logic that makes this more film as immersion tank rather than as narrative film. Its the sort of thing that one can not hope to grasp in a single viewing simple because there is too much to grasp and because things don't connect until you've gotten all the way to the end. (As the Movie Habit website said: "...much like a going to a Wagnerian opera. It's long, loud, and at any given moment it seems not to know where it's going. But when you get to the end, you know you've been someplace special.") Its a film that is clearly a work of art both pretentious and glorious. Actually this is a film that is all things at once good and bad, riveting and sleep inducing, masterful and amateurish. It is a film that is unlike any other that I've ever seen, not only in style but in effect, I was both bored by the film and utterly captivated.It is nothing so much as a head trip of the highest order. This is not a film of facts but of ideas.. Its an examination of what brought Hitler to power, could the national view of a classically romantic Germany have been the cause? At the same time what does all of this say about ourselves? 30 years on with the change of American politics from a less then simple democracy into battles of cults of personality are we heading toward something similar with the idealized ways of seeing the world that our leaders ask us to believe blinding us to the road to ruin? Its something to consider.Is it a great film? yes, I think it is. I don't know how many people will have the endurance to get to the end of the film owing to its often static nature, and heady discussions, but for those who are daring it is a unique experience, once that will haunt you around the edges.I think the best way to describe the film is to answer the question how is it? Yes, yes it is. (Meaning however you think the film is thats what it is) It is a masterpiece since its constantly provoking a reaction

aliasme I came across this film by accident whilst trying to locate another German made film and on discovering that the entire 7 hours is available free in real-time I began to watch. Those seven hours flew by and by the end I was left feeling stunned and somehow very insignificant. This is not a film to invite a few pals round for and throw pizza and beer in for good measure. This is a film to watch alone or maybe with someone who is interested in cinema as a means of transcending time and place. The images and audio presentations you will see and hear may well change your perceptions on life itself. Why this film is so little known is a mystery and perhaps it is only for the few and not the masses. It hits a spot somewhere deep inside and nestles in there and will never be entirely removed. See it and understand why 80 million Germans believed Hitler, a maniac, became for many, a god.

mdrips I saw this film when in premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in 1977. Even 25 years later I can recall the stunning imagery and complexity of this landmark film.To understand Hitler, to understand Germany, to understand the culture of the German people and their subsequent spiral into the vortex of World War II, this film is a must see.It's unfortunate that it is not available on DVD (or VHS).At a running time of over seven hours, the film festival people offered two intermissions during the showing. If you ever get to see this film be prepared for a test of your physical as well as your mental endurance.