ZDF Studios announced the global distribution of “Hitler’s Entourage” (6x50’), a six-part documentary that sheds new light on the dictator’s closest associates. Produced by Doclights for ZDFinfo in association with ZDF Studios, the history title unveils surprising insights into the psyches of Joseph Goebbels, Herman Göring, Albert Speer, Rudolf Hess, Martin Bormann and Hitler’s mistress, Eva Braun. They served at the pleasure of their leader, but in the fight for power and recognition, their alliances were short-lived. The thrilling documentary series draws on diaries, private records, and the latest research to reveal the intrigues, conflicts, and the dark psychological depths of the Nazi elite.
Currently in post-production, “Hitler’s Entourage” includes archive material restored and colourised to a high standard as well as observations from a diverse range of experts and witnesses who experienced Hitler and his henchmen live.
Nikolas Hülbusch, Director Unscripted, ZDF Studios, said: “Doclights have gone to great lengths with in depth research for this series which provides fascinating and chilling insights into the minds of Hitler’s allies. You don’t need to be a history buff to find this documentary compelling, it is unputdownable.”
Stefan Bomhof, Executive Producer, Doclights, added: “Our goal was not only to reveal the motivation and radicalisation process of these high ranking Nazis, we also wanted to examine their private moments. We deeply believe in the educational purpose of our series. Every generation must have this story told in a contemporary way, because most of the former historical witnesses are no longer able to do so.”
With each episode of “Hitler’s Entourage” dedicated to one of the dictator’s associates, the series begins with Joseph Goebbels. Brought up as a Catholic with nurturing parents, his foot disability saw Goebbels stylising himself as an outsider. As Hitler’s sidekick he rose to power becoming Reich Minister of Propaganda. One expert describes him as narcissistic and not particularly intelligent or very successful with propaganda in his early years. But a man of conviction whose radical anti-Semitism developed at a young age.
Hermann Göring, commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, was a contradictory man. How did the Bavarian boy, who had spent his childhood surrounded by a Jewish nobleman, become the man who gave Heydrich the order for the "Final solution of the Jewish question"? Eventually the lost air battles against England led to Göring's loss of importance in Hitler’s centre of power. He was accused of negotiating with the Allies and arrested by the SS on April 23, 1945.
Martin Bormann gained immense power by using his position as Hitler's private secretary to control the flow of information and access to Hitler. Even now, Bormann provides plenty of scope for speculation as he kept himself firmly in the background. Described as vulgar and choleric, he treated his wife in an extremely authoritarian manner and was known to have numerous extramarital affairs however his son, in an interview in 2005, spoke of him as a caring and encouraging father, whom he only saw six times during the war.
On the night of May 11,1941, a man jumps out of a German plane alone over Scotland. When he is found, he claims to want to hold peace talks. This man is Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy, and an icon of the extreme right to this day. How did the merchant's son become the pseudo-religious occultist who first created the myth surrounding his Führer, whom he was ultimately to betray? Or did he believe he was acting in Hitler's interests?
The architect Albert Speer cultivated the image of the seduced artist like no other. At the Nuremberg trial, it saved him from being hanged: he was the only defendant to admit collective guilt. At the centre of power, the Reich Minister claims to have been unaware of the actual crimes of Hitler’s regime for years. Speer’s skilfully staged apolitical technicism still opens the door to the myth of the "decent" Nazis who built freeways and abolished unemployment.
In February 1935, 23 year old Eva Braun wrote in her diary: "I am so infinitely happy that he loves me so much and I pray that it will always stay that way. I never want to be to blame if he no longer likes me." She is referring to Adolf Hitler. However, the more successful he becomes, the less time he has for Eva Braun. For him, she is just a courtesan. He ensures she remains a state secret. To this day, there is no correspondence between Eva Braun and Adolf that could prove that the greatest mass murderer in history was capable of true love.
Doclights, a ZDF Studios affiliate, is well known for producing high end nature films, documentaries and factual entertainment. The programmes are produced for major German broadcasters such as ZDF, ARD and ARTE and the international market, including National Geographic and History Channel amongst many others.