Planned Mini-Series on Hitler's Early Life Brings Criticism

The New York Times ^ | 8/20/02 | Bernard Weinraub

[GeneD]

I don't know why people are surprised. Hitler's a hero of Sumner Redstone and Mel Karmazin.

[Ciexyz]

"Springtime for Hitler and Germany...." (The Producers)

[RonF]

It seems to me that what's being objected to is, in fact, of great value. When the Devil shows up, or Evil in any form you care to give it, you usually don't smell brimstone and see the fire. The thin edge of the wedge is usually banal, and the decisions to go along or resist are often cloaked in the little things of life, not something that is obviously life-changing from first glance.

[Ciexyz]

David Letterman mentioned this the other night, I thought he was just joking.

What's next, the life story of Stalin and Mao?

[fone]

Much akin to a mini-series outlining HRC's youth, college and Arkansas career...mostly a mystery to the average joe.

[aristeides]

If this series goes to Hitler's ascension to power in 1933, he was 44 years old then, not exactly a youngster.

[aristeides]

What's next, the life story of Stalin and Mao?

Since the second volume of the book on which this is based is now out, I imagine what's next is a show on the rest of Hitler's life.

[GingisK]

What's next, the life story of Stalin and Mao?

What the problem, you are not a history buff? I enjoy learning about the "shakers and movers" in history. Perhaps you would prefer to burn the books and forget about the past.

Two of the most fascinating books are "Inside the Third Reich", by Albert Speer and the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich", by William Shirer.

History is great entertainment. Try it.

[aristeides]

I didn't see any indication on your link that Sumner Redstone is a Hitler fan. I'm a fan of neither, but that strikes me as unlikely. Do you have evidence?

[CatoRenasci]

With the current resurgence of anti-semitism, one would think that everyone would understand the importance of a project like this: the very ordinariness of Hitler and the circumstances of his rise to power bring home the seriousness with which we should take those who preach they would destroy our liberties and persecute various peoples, from Muslims who aim to destroy Jews and the rest of the West to the leftists who are out to take our guns and establish a socialist tyranny.

The very liberal Jews quoted above who oppose any treatment of Hitler other than complete demonization are often Democrats who seek to demonize all Republicans and create a climate in which no "reasonable" person holds views inconsistent with their own. They must be resisted as much as anti-semitism and seen for the potential tyrants they are.

[Pietro]

Any true portrait of Hitler's early life must show his involvement w/ anti-semetic and nationalistic groups at a very early age. These groups were often interwoven w/ occultic influences, particuarly the Thule group.

Hitler was loathsome even in his "tender" years, any attempt to sugar coat that would, IMO, be criminal.

[Uncle Hal]

A scarier movie would be one depicting Bill Clinton's early life.

[Euro-American Scum]

A scarier movie would be one depicting Bill Clinton's early life.

What would be the difference?

[mombonn]

What would be the difference?

The reign of clinton terror is not yet over.

[weikel]

Agree on all points. I wonder if they know why he became anti semitic?

[laconic]

I assume that those complaining about Jodie Foster playing Leni Riefenstahl in a movie get just as upset when they see Jane Fonda touted on the screen. At least Riefenstahl had to publicly apologize and was banned from artistic endeavors for life because of her promotional efforts on behalf of the Nazis; Hollywood has done nothing but promote and lavish praise on Fonda after her treasonous efforts on behalf of the Communists.

[GeneD]

Oh well, I should know better than to josh. I won't do that again. But you must agree that today's big media corporations have distinctly totalitarian tendencies, and Sumner and Mel are undisputed megalomaniacs. Given that Viacom runs MTV and employs Opie and Anthony I detect a good bit of my-way-or-the-highway coming from their domain -- a bit more than is healthy in an alleged democracy.

[GeneD]

And while I will try not to engage in any further ad hominem accusations of Nazi worship, I point out that a) Viacom did $23 billion in business in 2001, b) that A. J. Liebling said, "Freedom of the press belongs to the man who owns one", c) that a Viacom radio employee was recently fired for criticizing his bosses on the Web, and d) I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Opie and Anthony to play a practical joke on Sumner and Mel.

[genefromjersey]

OH ! I thought at first it said HILLARY'S EARLY LIFE!

Never mind.

[Edmund Burke]

Apparently when he was down on his luck in Vienna prior to the 1st World War, he tried to sell some personal possessions and sketches to raise cash and got jewed down on the price. He went away mad and later just flipped out.