Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial is a 6-part Americantelevision documentary series about Hitler and the Nazi Party's rise to power in Germany before and during the Second World War and the aftermath of the regime's downfall. It was created for Netflix, directed by Joe Berlinger and produced by Smuggler Entertainment, Fireglory Pictures and Lions Productions. The series was released on June 5, 2024.[1]
Through interviews with historians and eyewitnesses, archival footage and audio, and dramatic historical reenactments, Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial traces Hitler's rise to power and his leadership of Nazi Germany. The series is told through the perspective of American journalist William L. Shirer and his book The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, published in 1960.[2] The series made use of AI technology to create Shirer's "voice" as a narrator.
Berlinger has said he intended for the series to be a message to younger viewers and a warning that "normal people can do horrific things".[3][4]
Hitler's childhood in Austria is explored to show how his political ambitions were formed. Germany is thrown into sociopolitical turmoil after the end of the First World War.
2
"The Third Reich Rises"
Hitler builds a loyal following in the Nazi party through the rhetoric of his speeches and rises in the ranks of the party.
3
"Hitler in Power"
Hitler is in power as the Chancellor of the Third Reich and introduces a number of laws discriminating against Jewish people.
4
"The Road to Ruin"
Hitler sets out to expand Germany's territory in Europe and expands the Holocaust by building concentration camps.
the Allied forces defeat Nazi Germany and with the fall of the Third Reich, the Allied powers bring the Nazi party leaders to account at the Nuremberg trials.
Reception
In a review for The New York Times, Mike Hale says the series alludes to Donald Trump's impact on the political landscape in America and writes "the focus is on how the personal drives the political, and you can’t watch “Evil on Trial” without considering how Berlinger’s and his colleagues’ feelings about Trump".[6]Decider highlights the decision of Berlinger to frame the series around the context of the Nuremberg Trials and writes that this allows Berlinger "to put the rise of the Nazis and their atrocities in direct comparison to the consequences of the actions of the surviving Nazi higher-ups" and recommend audiences to stream the series.[7]Screen Rant wrote that the series explores its subject matter "with immense depth and rigor" but stated it does not present any new evidence.[8]The Tribune India awarded the series 4/5 stars and said it is "a powerful message conveyed through a power-packed presentation".[9] Phil Harrison from The Guardian named the series as one of the seven best shows to stream on the week of its release, and said "this is a potent moment for a retelling of the story, as once again, totalitarianism seems to rearing its head across the world, not least in the US."[10]
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