Hitler And The Children Of Obersalzberg is a 2018 historical documentary film that delves into the personal lives of the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and his inner circle regarding their secluded retreat, Obersalzberg, in the Bavarian Alps. The documentary, directed by Michael Kloft, features interviews with historians, former residents of Obersalzberg, and their children, who have come forward to share their experiences of living near Hitler, one of the world's most notorious mass murderers.
The film opens with a scenic aerial shot of the pristine mountains surrounding Obersalzberg, which appears to be a peaceful and idyllic part of the world. Kloft juxtaposes this with historic footage, which shows how the location served as Hitler's base of operations during his reign of terror. To contextualize the story of Obersalzberg, the documentary takes the viewers back to pre-Nazi Germany, post-World War I, where the country's economic turmoil gave way to a rise in right-wing populism, allowing Hitler to come in and consolidate power.
The documentary emphasizes how the Führer, despite his brutal and vicious regime, was idolized by his followers, and even some residents of Obersalzberg, who saw him as a charismatic and empathetic leader. Kloft delves into Hitler's life in Obersalzberg, showing how he would often interact with the children of his neighbors, offering them candy or ice cream. Through interviews with Obersalzberg children, who are now in their eighties and nineties, we learn how they perceived Hitler as a fatherly figure who would regularly visit his Alpine retreat in the summers.
Another prominent figure in the documentary is Berchtesgaden leader and Hitler's personal architect and friend, Albert Speer. The film depicts Speer's involvement in the design and construction of Hitler's infamous hideaway, the Berghof, which was destroyed in 1945 by the retreating Nazi army. Speer was a close confidant of Hitler, and the film candidly explores their personal friendship and the consequences of the former's complicity in the Nazi regime.
The documentary creates a vivid impression of the privileged and idyllic lifestyle of those living in Obersalzberg. But, through interviews with witnesses and Nazi historians, the film, while not glossing over the outer splendor of the place, reveals the darker, more sinister underbelly. We learn that children in Obersalzberg were also subjected to propaganda, and they were required to learn the Nazi ideology in school, creating a generation indoctrinated to believe the propaganda surrounding Hitler's cause. The documentary raises questions about how children raised in a toxic environment turn out and the mental destruction the regime wrought on children in Obersalzberg.
The documentary also touches on the plight of Jews, Roma, Sinti, and other groups that the Nazis targeted, who were rounded up and systematically exterminated. As juxtaposition to the privileged lives of those living in Obersalzberg, the film interweaves interviews with Holocaust survivors and their descendants, painting a stark contrast with the idyllic setting. The director's portrayal of the life of Hitler and his cohorts shows a grotesque image of the sinister and brutal regime that not only influenced but destroyed the lives of many innocent people.
In conclusion, Hitler And The Children Of Obersalzberg is a comprehensive and well-made documentary that re-examines the leaders and residents of the most famous Third Reich hideaway. The combination of interviews, never-before-seen footage, historic documentation, and historical analysis highlights how people reacted to and were swayed by Hitler's charm and charisma. The documentary is an illuminating and chilling reminder of how people can fall under the spell of a charismatic leader, no matter how horrific their actions may be.
Hitler And The Children Of Obersalzberg is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.
