The Magic Face

We are given an introduction that tells us we are about to see a film that may or may not be true. It's not true. So, just clearing that up from the start. There are so many inaccuracies in the set-up and in the final days of Hitler in the bunker. Who on earth is this Patricia Knight (Vera) character?! Anyway, what we get is a film that is ok to watch as we are given another theory as to what really happened to Hitler. It is, of course, complete nonsense.

I've never understood the whole butler thing. Why would anyone want to spend their life voluntarily in the servitude of somebody else!! Especially a member of the male species, who are innately programmed to assert dominance not encompass submissiveness. Unless they fancied them. In this film, Hitler's original valet Manfred Inger (Wagner) proves this homosexual theory as he looks adoringly at Hitler in one particular scene. It is an interesting point to note that nobody else has mentioned but everyone can see.

Check out the cast list on this film - there is someone called Rolf Wanka! Ha ha.

The first time I saw this movie was in 1952, I then forgot about it for a number of years, then I began to think of the story but I had forgotten the title and the actors.

For 40 odd years I tried in vain to find the name of movie. Several years ago I finally found the title name on IMDb, I was even able to buy a copy of the film.

This is one of those films that make you wonder if it really happened or not.

Enjoy the movie,

Hal

A fanciful & fictional account of an actor assassinating Hitler, assuming his identity and running war time Germany to ensure an Allied victory over the Third Reich.

A dry clinical approach to this production, interspersed with documentary style narrative, with added archival footage of the major moments in WW2, tends to aid in the attempt to pass this off as something more than just another war story.

Luther Adler's performance is the lynchpin binding a rather curious effort to create a different style of storytelling, all the while still entertaining in a way that the viewing audience was not accustomed.

Another old WW2 movie that is hard to find, but well worth the effort.

This is a thoroughly fascinating movie about Hitler and World War II. The plot makes one wonder if possibly that's what really happened with the destruction of the Nazis and Germany in the 1940's.

It would be great if Columbia Pictures would put this movie on video tape, still better if they would make a new picture of this story.

I recall this movie well. I was fourteen years of age when it was released in 1951 and lived in White Plains,NY. I viewed this picture twice due to it's unique perspective. Luther Adler's view of this period of history was not only interesting, but thought provoking as well as fascinating. Felt Mr. Adler's acting was convincing, along with his unusual look at history. Why can't this interesting movie be made available in either DVD or VHS? I also viewed Adler's role as Hitler in the James Mason film "The Desert Fox". I could be mistaken, but it's my recollection that Mr. Adler, and or the producers challenged viewers to disprove the story; and if proved correct would receive a monetary reward. Please comment!