Hey Jim:
FINALLY watched it the other night and was glad that I took the time. Both of us enjoyed it and would recommend it to others. As Emerson stated, it didn't capture the COMPLETE history as Toland and others have wrote it, but it gives a great overall view of how this MONSTER was able to take control of the German parliament and the German people. Scary! And I loved how they used the famous quote at the beginning and end of the movie to remind us that by sitting back and doing nothing, we are just as guilty...
Even though I have watched literally hundreds of movies and documentaries, it still saddens me so much each time when I get to the end of the movie and realize that all this DID happen. Each time they gave into him, each time they gave him just a little, and when she takes the gun out of his hand after the altercation in the street, left me shouting at the tv, "Let him shoot himself and spare the world 50 million deaths!"
I believe this movie would give those who aren't familiar with his rise a good feel for how he came to power. It shows how damned gullible people are especially when they are down and out. It's very easy to appeal to the masses when they are depressed economically, etc. You can tell folks just about anything, make a few promises and appeal to their ANGER. Then you turn around and feed on their fear and BAM, you've got 'em. They can be total lies, but by this time it doesn't matter.
So many thought it couldn't happen; there are too many who won't put up with it, too many who don't agree with this nut, he'll just fade away...
It can happen again if we sit back and do NOTHING! There's always someone out there ready to do the devil's bidding.