| Pleasant Surprise |
26 May 2003
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CBS Proves TV Worthwhile with "Hitler: Rise of Evil"
Watching the main networks on American television has become a painful experience. Reality shows, excessive commercial breaks, and pandering to the tastes and morality of the least sophisticate in society, it is generally awful. Yet, just when one is about to give up entirely, CBS provides two nights of brave, intelligent and watchable drama with "Hitler: Rise of Evil." There appears to be some spark of life at the Black Rock network after all.
Robert Carlyle is better known to most as a film actor from "The Full Monty," and "Angela's Ashes"; however, on Sunday and Tuesday of last week, he was Adolf Hitler -- not an actor in a role, but convincing enough that the monster lived again. He received admirable support from a talent cast, not least of whom was Peter O'Toole as President Hindenburg.
The role is a dangerous one, in that Hitler is inevitably moving into the realm of myth -- no one under the age of 60 can have any memory at all of him. Soon, he will be like Richard III, a theatrical role in addition to his historical one. Thus, the initial concern by Jewish groups that any portrayal of Hitler might lead to imitation and inspiration among the feeble-minded. Carlyle's performance left no room for that. His Hitler, a finely written role to be sure, delved into insanity, evil and nastiness without ever once becoming the caricature that might so easily be presented.
There were flaws in the teleplay: somethings were rushed, there was a bit too much Freudian speculation, O'Toole is far thinner than Hindenburg was. Such grumbles are a far cry, though, from what one often says about the usual programming. For once, it felt smart to be watching the box.