Hitler's S.S.: Portrait in Evil (1985)

The story of Helmut and Karl Hoffmann. Both come of age at the start of Hitler's power in Germany. Helmut joins the SS and eventually becomes a successful flag rank officer. Karl joins the ... See full summary »

Director:

Jim Goddard

Writer:

Lukas Heller

Stars:

John Shea, Bill Nighy, Lucy Gutteridge

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Shea	...	Karl Hoffmann
Bill Nighy	...	Helmut Hoffmann
Lucy Gutteridge	...	Mitzi Templer (nightclub singer)
David Warner	...	Reinhard Heydrich
Warren Clarke	...	Becker (SS assistant to Dietrich)
Michael Elphick	...	Ernst Röhm (SA Chief)
Stratford Johns	...	Uncle Walter (bartender)
Robert Urquhart	...	Albrecht Hoffman
José Ferrer	...	Prof. Ludwig Rosenberg
Carroll Baker	...	Gerda Hoffman
Tony Randall	...	Putzi (The Comedian)
John Normington	...	Heinrich Himmler
Derek Newark	...	Theodor Eicke
Paul Brooke	...	Gen. Josef Biegler, SA
Colin Jeavons	...	Adolf Hitler

Storyline

The story of Helmut and Karl Hoffmann. Both come of age at the start of Hitler's power in Germany. Helmut joins the SS and eventually becomes a successful flag rank officer. Karl joins the SA and experiences the darker side of Nazism after the SA is disbanded and Karl is thrown into prison and later conscripted into the German army. Brother is pitted against brother until their relationship, and the Third Reich, stands in ruins

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Plot Keywords:

reinhard heydrich assassination | adolf hitler character | american actor playing foreigner | brother | third reich | 

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Taglines:

Brother is pitted against brother under the shadow of the Third Reich.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Commentators and critics of the film have often remarked that it is unclear exactly what Helmutt Hoffman's job is in the SS, apart from delivering things to his superiors for signature, and in only one instance is anyone actually seen working for him. Based on the dialogue, however, Hoffmann appears to be part of the SD Special Purpose Staff which was known as "Amt z.b.V. Besonderen Verwendung"

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Goofs

The character of SS-Captain Becker is shown in 1938 to be wearing the World War II Iron Cross Second Class. This decoration was not introduced in the German military until the end of 1939.

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Quotes

Putzi: [1939, in a bar full of Nazi's and German soldiers] We hoped you enjoyed our entertainment ladies and gentlemen, that's all we have for you tonight... oh... one thing I almost forgot, someone asked me a request. Would I sing the Polish national anthem... anyone know it? You know it? Well, no matter. It'll be obsolete by Christmas anyway, like the Jews.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD version of the film omits the entire first part of the feature, substituting the 1931 - 1939 scenes with a quick summary at the start of the film, then begins with the invasion of Poland in 1939.

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Soundtracks

Wenn die Soldaten,
sung on train to the Night of the Long Knives

User Reviews

different

in a long list of films about Nazi Germany, this movie seems be an exception. first because it is story of people, seduced, proud, discovering the truth and the fall of a regime who, for a time, was the image of personal success. sure, the critics are many about it. because its ambition is to be a large fresco of a dictatorship. and an embroidery with too many motifs. because it use stereotypes who , not always, are real convincing. because , after its end, you feel something missing. but it is an interesting trip in the essence of the perceptions about a dictatorship. and this virtue remains not insignificant.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hitler SS: El retrato del mal

Filming Locations:

Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edgar J. Scherick Associates, Metromedia Producers Corporation (MPC)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1