The Hidden Fuhrer: Debating the Enigma of Hitler's Sexuality

Starring:Hidden Fuhrer
Studio: Strand Releasing
Product Type: DVD

Description

In September 2001, respected German historian Lothar Machtan dropped a bombshell on the world of Hitler studies. Hitler was a secret homosexual. His highly acclaimed and explosive book, The Hidden Fürher, ignited a storm of controversy. Award winning filmmakers Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato explore areas of the Führer's private life.

Customer Reviews:

Unintentionally or purposely funny?.......2006-07-10

This movie is absolutely hilarious. I don't understand how one can not see the explosive humor contained within this documentary. Now don't get me wrong, it is a well researched documentary and the evidence is quite convincing. However, the editing and directing of this film is pure comedy. From the rolling purple schwastika in the opening credits you will be laughing non stop. There are scenes of Hitler prancing, Hitler doing limp-wristed heils, nazis doing shirtless leapfrogs, and all other sorts of hilarious gayness. The funniest part of the dvd is when accounts of Hitler's homosexual activities are recounted in English (via voiceover) by people faking German accents. I'm really not sure if this film was made to be intentionally funny or not, but it is and you owe it to yourself and the millions who suffered at the hands of this worthless pile. Its good that we're questioning his sexuality. It decimates Hitler at the highest levels. Anyway, bravo.

What Would it Matter?.......2005-09-22

It's like arguing the point of the sexual orientation of staphylococcus aureus: a digression from its primary import. Likewise was Hitler's meatless and alcohol free diet. To investigate the behavioral incidentals of a monster trivializes its monstrousness and can only make it appear not quite so monstrous. Preventing the recurrence of such a monster is paramount and is not served by examining what was not so monstrous.

nefarious figure, thoughtful documentary.......2005-03-13

Of course, everything about Nazism and the Holocaust disgusts me and most people. It took strength to rent anything that so much as says the word "Hitler." Still, if this controversy could be used to halt gay rights, I had to see what was going on.

A straight, German professor, Dr. Machtan, wrote a book arguing that Hitler was gay. This documentary looks at his evidence and speaks with individuals that take issue with these assertions. This documentary was rather long. I had to turn it off several times because I was so repulsed by seeing all those swastikas. However, I did like the way the documentarians go through the argument bit by bit; they peeled the onion here.

This documentary begs the question of how can you prove any deceased, pre-Stonewall gay identity. If Hitler loved male camaraderie and never attempted to have a successful relationship with any woman, does that make him gay? He continually stated that Nazism was more important to him than romance and people keep forgetting that "passionate friendships" were common for those born in the 19th century. Countless contemporaries called Hitler homosexual, but were they just hating on him? Hitler liked art and opera, but isn't it stereotypical to jump to a conclusion from that? Ernst Roehm, an openly gay Nazi leader, doesn't get mentioned until the end of the documentary, unlike "Bent" where he's brought up in the beginning. This issue of how "straight" leaders deal with their gay peers was not stressed here, though it's fascinating. This segment reminded me of what people have said about Dr. King and Bayard Rustin or John Lennon and Brian Epstein.

Unfortunately, Dr. Machtan's opponents are not strong debaters. One guy says Hitler could not have prostituted himself because he always had a scowl on his face. Some men, especially pre-Stonewall, like the idea of "rough trade." Another said Hitler could not have had a sexual relationship with Roehm because "Roehm was unattractive." Power and fame make men attractive. The famed, late muralist Diego Rivera has constantly been called ugly, but he was a notorious and successful womanizer. Why should Roehm be different just because he was gay? I do critique the documentarians because they never ask the question if Dr. Machtan is just trying to get paid, completely ignoring how his "conclusions" could affect gays' rights. I wonder if they let him off the hook so often because he volunteered so much time for the documentary.

The documentarians briefly mention J. Edgar Hoover. However, I wish they would have mentioned that a debate about Abraham Lincoln's gayness is raging on this side of the Atlantic as much as one is about Hitler on that side. They never ask, "Why is it that bad figures in history are easily believed to be gay but good figures are challenged constantly?" Besides Abe, note how people are adamant in refusing to think that Jane Austen or Malcolm X could have been lesbian or gay, respectively.

Some American gay studies scholars and gay rights activists are interviewed here. However, their scenes are so small, they might as well have not been included. Many of the mid- and early 20th-century quotes here are read with campy German accents. Who did the creators choose for readings: Dieter, Hans und Franz, or Uter the foreign exchange student?

Of course, I hope that Hitler was not gay. Still, I think this documentary was a good exercise in thinking about deceased leaders and their sexual acts and identities.

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