Dawn of Evil: Rise of the Reich DVD Review

Release Date – 28th February 2011


Certificate (UK) – 18


Country – Germany

Director – Urs Odermatt

Runtime – 105 minutes

Starring – Tom Schilling, Anna Unterberger, Gotz George, Wolf Bachofner

Seeking to explore Hitler’s pursuit of a career as an artist and his time in Vienna pre-politics, Dawn of Evil provides little more than an unrewarding, unengaging and often laughable insight into the dictator’s formative years.

A young Hitler (Tom Schilling) arrives in Vienna in a bid to enrol at the Academy of Fine Arts. He moves into a predominantly Jewish boarding house and this, coupled with his humiliating rejection from art school seemingly fuels his growing anti-Semitic rage. Angry and disillusioned, Hitler falls in with a group of militant German nationalists before setting his sights on blonde beauty Gretchen (Anna Unterberger). Successfully prising her from the aged grip of Jewish roommate Schlomo Herzl (Götz George) and acknowledging his ability to convince her of his newly established beliefs, Hitler realises his calling to politics and assembles a gang of followers.

Technically the film cannot be faulted- it is well shot with some strong performances from its cast. Tom Schilling is particularly impressive throughout, striving to offer a more three-dimensional glimpse into the inner-workings of such a contentious character. Unfortunately his ability to do this is hindered by inadequate character development- it appears Urs Odermatt is attempting to offer a more humanized Hitler, but ultimately Schilling’s character is just not strong enough to contradict common opinion and understanding as Bruno Ganz portrayal succeeded to achieve in 2004’s Downfall. Historical inaccuracy is laced throughout the film and reaches a staggering climax in delivering the blow that Mein Kampf was in fact a book written about Hitler by acquaintance Schlomo.

It’s unfortunate that Dawn of Evil’s script fails to maintain the standard set by its cinematography and acting. A suitable means to switch between humorous and intense scripting is never established and the result is a messy and unintentionally tongue-in-cheek film. Historical inaccuracy devalues the film further and subsequently it fails to offer anything more than a well-deserved stepping-stone in furthering Schillings career.