Nazi tragedy unravels

Press, 27 January 1988, Page 15

Nazi tragedy unravels

His reign of terror will never be forgotten. Yet while the world is now chillingly aware of the horror that was Adolf Hitler, only a few decades ago this spellbinding orator held promise for a nation left in shambles after World War I. This evening’s threehour special, “Hitler’s S.S.: Portrait in Evil” (8.30 p.m. on One), brings an unusual perspective to the tragedy of Nazi Germany as told through the lives of two ordinary, hard-

I working brothers at oppot site ends of the Fuhrer’s r forces during World War 11. ' As Helmut Hoffman ; (Billy Nighy) revels in the ’ power and position he ' enjoys as a member of ; the Schutzstaffel — the ’ dreaded S.S. — his younger brother Karl ; (John Shea) opposes the j party’s objectives and dares to rebel as the , horrible truth of the ; movement comes to light. > Helmut’s obsession with his brutal occupation es-

tranges him from his long-time girlfriend, Mitzi (Lucy Gutteridge), a beautiful and upcoming nightclub singer. As she turns away from Helmut’s world, Mitzi finds herself becoming Karl’s champion and her feelings for him gradually deepen. Mitzi’s career with a travelling road show brings her into contact with a vocal anti-Nazi, Putzi (Tony Randall), allowed to continue his barbed humour, until he

went too far. Karl and Helmut’s parents, Gerba (Carroll Baker) and Albrecht (Robert Urquhart), have to watch as the fabric of their family and country unravel faster and faster, until even their very young son, Hans, is swallowed into the maw and pressed into active service. “Hitler’s S.S.: Portrait in Evil” also features Jose Ferrer, Michael Elphick and Stratford Johns.