Hitler, ein Film aus Deutschland (Das Neue Buch ; 108)

by Hans-Jürgen Syberberg

German

Genres: Film

315 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Elzira Rai · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is striking that Sontag, apparently mesmerized by Syberberg’s avant-garde camp aesthetics, repeatedly failed to recognize, or in any case to point out, the profoundly reactionary and at times antisemitic views articulated in 'Hitler, a film from Germany'; indeed, even after presumably reading this valuable transcription of the German director’s magnum opus, Sontag’s only hint of criticism is the remark that Syberberg omits a feminist or Marxist perspective in his analysis of the Reich years. Jonathan Bowden, a far-right intellectual who would certainly eschew any Marxist perspective on the topic, did not fail to recognize a kindred spirit in the German director, describing Syberberg’s views on Hitler as ‘neutral’ and praising his reverence for the Reich’s founding myths. Far more perceptive was Marxist theorist Fredric Jameson, who noted that Syberberg’s reproach of Hitler's dream is directed not so much at the Holocaust or the madness of attempting European conquest—which the director regards as built into the fabric of the 'nation'—but rather at Hitler’s capitulation to the will of the masses, the desecration of Wagner and Parsifal as icons of German aristocratic culture, and the subsequent subjugation of European culture by Hollywood, pop, and fast food. And while these ideological strains may be somewhat submerged by the film's audiovisual kitsch density, this useful companion text—as well as other writings by Syberberg—renders them unmistakable, making Sontag’s focus on formal and aesthetic aspects all the more puzzling.

[Alex Obrigewitsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A difficult work, text of a difficult film, which raises questions we must all ask ourselves (German or otherwise, now and forever), while treading a dangerous line between critique and praise. Syberberg, questionable for his own views, must be recognized for this work nonetheless - even though he himself falls to the very Romantic vision of mythicization of the political, this work remains one of the best, critical stagings of this affliction of the West...

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 4 out of 5]

It appears that my opportunities for checking out movies by Syberberg have been few & far between. Long ago, I saw a 3&1/2-5hr epic by him shot in the Reichstag w/ only one actress (a Native American woman) reciting a text, apparently from memory, in whole-reel duration shots. Such an intense formal restriction was, of course, an extreme challenge for the actress & for the (v)audience. I don't remember being particularly bored - despite the film being one long monologue. Much more recently, I saw Syberberg's version of a Wagner opera on video. The style of it was.. operatic! "Hitler" seems to've been made in much the same spirit. On the cover, Hitler is shown rising from a grave that has "RW" on the gravestone - presumably standing for Richard Wagner. At any rate, this seems like it's probably a unique movie - a theatrical & camp analysis of the difficult subject of Germany's post-nazi relationship to Hitler.