The somewhat sensationalist title belies what is at heart an earnest attempt to realistically portray the descent of Hitler into madness, paranoia and megalomania. While the recently made ‘Max' focused on the young Hitler from a ‘What Could've Been' angle, ‘Hitler: The Rise of Evil' tries admirably to stick to the facts as it traces his career in politics (as a rising star, darling of both the poor and the powered gentry), to his self-destructive end. While the film portrays a truncated view of this period, selecting key events of the time, it seems to rely on the cast for its impact, particularly Robert Carlyle's performance. which provides a spectacle that is difficult to see past at times. Those wanting to gain a better understanding of Hitler's persona or the political and social implications of his actions would be better off reading a history book.