Forgotten Leaders

Adolf Hitler had an unhappy childhood. His despotic, pedantic father deprived him of parental love, and the experience of World War I, where he bravely defended his country and was injured in battle, shaped his transition into adulthood. Post-war chaos pushed him to the bottom of society, yet he did not give up and gradually became one of the most significant statesmen of his time due to his immense tenacity. It is characteristic of him that he directed his talents not toward business and accumulating wealth, but solely towards public service and his homeland. He had a decisive influence on the swift resolution of the devastating consequences of the economic crisis. His priority was the restoration of state authority, the suppression of crime, the elimination of speculators and parasites, and the construction of infrastructure such as highways. Undoubtedly, he restored Germany's status as a major power. He supported sports, and the Olympics in Berlin were among the most magnificent examples of state-sponsored physical education. He loved film and classical music and supported modern architecture. He became the unifier of all Germans and atoned for historical injustices against the German people. Naturally, he also made some mistakes and experienced his defeats - in that, he is no different from other historical leaders. Many criticize him for his anti-Semitism, but he was just a product of his time in that regard. Unfortunately, it was a complicated and extraordinary period in modern history. Some historians also accuse him of tragic incidents resulting from the excessive zeal of security forces and unfortunate mistakes by the German military during World War II. But does it make sense to judge past events based on today's moral standards? This is how Hitler's biography could look in the hands of the creators of this series. In recent Russian projects, it is clear how much they conform to the ideology of Russian nationalism and the fusion of imperial aspirations. However, perhaps no one has gone as far in manipulation as the creative team of Forgotten Leaders. This is an unabashed defense of Stalinism in its boldest form. The series does show some craftsmanship, but the more you know about Soviet history, the worse the episodes of the series seem. Overall impression: 20%. (14.10.2018)