The
Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler: Leading Millions into the Abyss premieres on April 24 at 21h00 on BBC Knowledge (channel 184 on
DStv).
How did a man like Adolf Hitler dominate an
entire nation of people? Why was he adored by millions? Historian Laurence Rees
reveals some of the reasons behind the evil dictator’s unlikely appeal.
Hitler was, arguably, one of the most
extraordinary leaders that has ever lived. Yet he was a deeply inadequate
individual who was incapable of sustaining normal friendships, unable to engage
in normal debates and was overflowing with hatred. No-one else had such a
profound and devastating effect on the world or left behind such a wake of
ruins as he did – ultimately leading to the destruction of his own country.
These three episodes examine the key
decisions Hitler made during the Second World War to find out how he
manipulated the German beliefs and why others went along with his monstrous
ideals - and ultimately helped him to achieve his goals. It also looks at why
members of the German elite helped Hitler into power in the first place, when
they knew his violent nature.
Using interviews from former Nazis, many of
whom dealt personally with Hitler, this series helps to build up a picture of
Hitler - and surprisingly not all of it is bad.
The series continues every Wednesday at 21h00.
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