Selling Hitler
Selling Hitler

Selling Hitler

1991TV ShowEnded1 SeasonEnglish

Based on the book by Robert Harris, this is a comic-dramatisation of the true story of the one of the most famous forgery cases in the world, the infamous 'Hitler Diaries' of the early 1980s. Jonathan Pryce stars as the German journalist Gerd Heidemann who convinces himself that he has discovered a set of secret diaries written by the leader of the Third Reich and tries to convince the world, making a fortune for himself in the process.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: R. M. BerryGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

This British television miniseries is a satirical comedy-drama that chronicles the infamous 1983 scandal where Adolf Hitler's "autobiography" was "discovered" and subsequently published by the German magazine Stern. The series follows the convoluted and often absurd events surrounding the forgery, the media frenzy, and the individuals involved in the deception.

Critical Reception

Selling Hitler was a critical success, lauded for its sharp wit, clever satire, and strong performances, particularly from Carrie Fisher. It effectively captured the absurdities of the media's reaction to the forgery and the human motivations behind such a bizarre deception. It's remembered as a particularly incisive piece of television comedy from the early 90s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its dark humor and satirical take on media sensationalism.
  • Carrie Fisher's performance was a standout, adding significant comedic depth.
  • The series adeptly balanced absurdity with a critical look at public fascination with historical figures and scandals.

Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to gauge due to the age and nature of the broadcast, but reviews from the time and retrospectively highlight its intelligence and comedic timing.

Fun Fact

The miniseries was based on the true story of the Hitler Diaries hoax, which involved a massive international media sensation and a significant embarrassment for the magazine Stern.

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