In the waning days of World War II, Adolf Hitler took his own life in a bunker in Germany as Russian forces made their way into Berlin. This is according to the history books. According to conspiracy theorists, the body recovered in that bunker was not that of Hitler, but of a body double. In the decades since the war’s end, that conspiracy theory has somehow managed to live in, even being the inspiration for an episode of The Twilight Zone titled “He’s Alive.” That episode starred a then very young Dennis Hopper in the lead role. As it turns out, in that episode, it was not Hitler, but just the “ghost” of Hitler “haunting” Hopper’s character, Peter Vollmer. The episode, which warns of the influence of Hitler’s evil, hate-filled mindset and actions, is among the most notable of the productions influenced by that conspiracy theory. In 2022 however, another notable production centered on that conspiracy theory was released in the form of My Neighbor Adolf. Released through 2-Team Productions, the Polish Film Institute, and Film Produkcja, the 95-minute movie is a powerful and surprisingly engaging work that is such a welcome alternative to all of Hollywood’s never-ending sea of prequels, sequels and movies based on books and actual events.
Having made its theatrical debut in August 2022 at the Locarno Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland, the movie only made its way to American audiences last month through independent film distributor Cohen Media Group. The nearly four year span was a wait that proves to have been worth it, too. That is because this movie, as noted, is a deep presentation that actually keeps audiences guessing right to the end. This, thanks to its script. While the script does plenty to ensure viewers’ engagement and entertainment, the movie’s playback causes at least some concern but not enough to doom the presentation. This will be discussed a little later along with the concern surrounding the lack of any bonus content with the movie. Knowing that the noted concerns are not enough to doom the movie, there is still one more positive to examine, that being the work of its two leads. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the movie’s presentation. All things considered they make My Neighbor Adolf one of this year’s top in independent releases, despite being technically a four-year-old film.
Cohen Media Group’s recent domestic release of My Neighbor Adolf is one of this year’s top new independent movies. This is the case even with the movie technically having premiered overseas nearly four years ago. Its American premiere was last month. The movie proves such a strong new entry in large part through its script. Co-written by Dmitry Malinski (Motherland, Max & Millie, Veronica) and Leon Prudovsky (Five Hours From Paris, Dark Night, Like a Fish Out of Water), the script centers on holocaust survivor Marek Polsky (David Hayman – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Macbeth, Vertical Limit) Having lost his entire family during the Holocaust, Polsky now lives alone in Argentina. Marek had lived alone there for years, reading chess “games” in the local newspaper and tending to roses on his property in tribute to his late wife, who loved roses. One day, Marek gets a new neighbor and as soon as the man moves in, Marek cannot believe his eyes. His new neighbor, he believes is none other than Adolf Hitler. It takes Marek no time at all to become obsessed with proving his new neighbor’s real identity as his neighbor is living there under the moniker of Mr. Herzog. Mr. Herzog (Udo Kier – Hunters, The Secret Agent, Swan Song) looks just like the infamous figure, acts just like him, and even has a rather mean German Shepherd dog just like said individual. Marek starts taking pictures of Mr. Herzog in a scenario that one cannot help but compare to the classic 1954 Paramount Pictures movie, Rear Window. He also gets Mr. Herzog to paint a picture for him, write a letter and do other things just so that he can gather evidence to prove his case to Israeli military officials, who do not believe him.
As the story progresses, it certainly seems increasingly like Marek may in fact be right about his suspicions. That is until a moment late in the story when Herzog reveals a dark, long-held secret tied directly to the conspiracy theory at the center of this script. In realizing the truth, Marek’s deep-seated obsession leads to one of the story’s most powerful moments that is sure to move any viewer. That is because at that moment audiences will realize a deep message at the story’s heart: Marek was not the only one who was struggling to get past the events of World War II. Even Mr. Herzog was emotionally and psychologically scarred, not to give away too much here. It is really the story’s climax. What happens from here in the story’s final act is just as surprising and will not be spoiled for the case of those who have not yet watched this movie. Overall, the story at the heart of My Neighbor Adolf proves a powerful presentation that makes for reason enough to watch this movie.
While the movie’s script gives audiences reason enough to take in this presentation the movie’s presentation is not perfect. There are some concerns, the most noted being its playback. Many of the evening scenes shot throughout the movie are problematic when played back on a 4K television and player. They are so dark that it is difficult to actually see much in those moments. This even with the movie being presented on a Blu-ray disc. It certainly detracts from the presentation’s aesthetic value in its own right. It is not enough to doom the presentation but cannot be ignored.
On the opposite side of things, the general cinematography throughout the movie is impressive. The aerial shots (it is uncertain if they were shot on a crane camera or via a drone) do such a wonderful job of presenting the Argentinian countryside, and the dim dim setting of Marek’s house is a great way to mirror his own emotional mindset throughout the movie. It is a direct contrast to the much more well-lit home of Mr. Herzog. Interestingly, the warmth of Mr. Herzog’s home is in direct contrast to the obvious emotional pain that he hides throughout the story. It is yet another example of the general strength of the cinematography even despite the issue of those evening scenes.
Getting back on the topic of the negatives, the movie comes with no bonus content. There Between the clear discussions that could have been had on the cinematography and obviously on the conspiracy theories that played into this movie’s script, there is so much that could have been said. What’s more, that this movie was the final role for Kier before his death in 2025 could have been discussed, too, alongside the general discussion on the fully immersive performances by Kier and Hayman. Keeping all of this in mind, there is so much extra appreciation that could have been added to the movie. Not having it there is hardly enough to doom the movie’s presentation but it certainly would have enhanced the viewing experience all the more.
Staying on that matter of the acting, Hayman and Kier are to be fully applauded for their performances. Hayman’s obsession with proving Herzog is Hitler is fueled by the pain of having lost his family during the Holocaust. At the same time, he clearly comes across fully believable as someone who is completely obsessed like so many of today’s over the top conspiracy theorists. On the same note, Kier’s gradual character development over the course of the story is just as impressive. That he goes from being that cold, calculated figure early on to being more open as Mr. Herzog and Marek get to know one another is so subtle but obvious in the change. The duo’s work both alone and together works with the movie’s story to make the whole an offering that is certain to fully engage and entertain viewers whether watched once or more. All things considered My Neighbor Adolf proves to be a presentation that while having only premiered domestically nearly four years after its theatrical debut overseas, is still a work that is a solid alternative to Hollywood’s completely unoriginal offerings year in and out.
Cohen Media Group’s recent domestic release of My Neighbor Adolf is a presentation that every true lover of movies should watch at least once. The movie proves so worth watching in part through its story. The story is of note because it takes some familiar conspiracy theories centered around the vile German regime leader Adolf Hitler to make an original, unique work. The work of the movie’s two leads adds to the presentation. This is because each man’s work on camera is wholly believable and rich in its own presentation. The only real negatives to the whole are some playback issues and lack of any bonus content that could have really enhanced the movie’s presentation. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of this movie. All things considered this movie is one of this year’s top new independent film offerings.
My Neighbor Adolf is available now. More information on this and other titles from Cohen Media Group is available at:
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PHOTO CREDIT: Promotional Box Set Photo Courtesy Cohen Media Group- All Rights Reserved