The documentary Ascent Of Evil: The Story Of Mein Kampf begins
with footage from the conclusion of World War II in Germany, including some
footage of the concentration camps. Though many Germans claimed to be unaware
of the atrocities going on all around them, Elwyn Jones at the Nuremberg Trials
argued that the plan had been scripted in Mein
Kampf, that the book led to the Holocaust. This film then takes us into the
pages of this infamous tome by first giving us the story of Hitler’s life
leading to its publication. There is information on how Hitler drew inspiration
from Mussolini and decided to take power by force, but failed and was
imprisoned. The film contains interviews with several historians, one of whom
mentions that Hitler became the laughing stock of all the newspapers (which
might remind you again of Donald Trump). While in prison, Hitler began to write
what would become Mein Kampf, at
first in preparation for his defense. What is fascinating is that Hitler is the
only one of the conspirators not to plead not guilty. Instead, as one historian
tells us, he used the trial as a platform. “Everything
that he dreamed up, people believed,” we are told. This, again, is
terrifying close to our current situation.
The film includes a lot of
still photographs, including some from his short time in prison. There are
details on some of the visitors Hitler received while in prison, as well as on
the books he read that helped shape some of his worst ideas, those of the
racial struggle. Hitler was obsessed with Jews, believing them responsible for
Germany’s defeat in World War I. The documentary mentions that the word “Juden”
appears 373 times in Mein Kampf, an
average of once every two pages. The film contains some interesting information
on the choice of the book’s title. Interestingly, initially the book was not a
commercial success, as its contents did not meet the public’s expectations. But
when the Great Depression hit Germany, fringe parties began to gain members,
and the book began to sell.
The film includes an interview
with a German man who said that people didn’t take Hitler seriously. They didn’t
think he would remain in power, and they made jokes about him. That too has a
ring of familiarity about it, doesn’t it? There is also some fascinating
material about the French translation of the book, and the resulting trial. Mein Kampf foretold Hitler’s conquest of
France, and in an interview with a French reporter about those very passages,
Hitler simply lied, saying that he had changed since writing the book and now
sought peace. What other leader do we know who likes to change his story to
suit his goals? The continuing popularity of the book is understandable, but
frightening. We are at a critical juncture in our own country, when things
could very easily go very wrong. In fact, they already have, with the election
of Donald Trump. Let’s hope we can get back on course soon, through the power of our votes. Meanwhile, there is a lot we should learn from history.
Ascent Of Evil: The Story Of Mein Kampf was directed by Frederic
Monteil and is scheduled to be released on DVD on June 26, 2018 through MVD
Visual. The DVD contains the film’s trailer.
