Second Thoughts about Hitler’s Sexual History
This article is only a portion of the full article. If you are already a premium subscriber please login. If you are not a premium subscriber, please subscribe for access to all of our content.

The Hidden Fuehrer:  Debating
the Enigma of Hitler’s Sexuality
HBO / Cinemax

THE ASSERTION that Hitler may have been homosexual was made by German historian Lothar Machtan in his 2001 book, The Hidden Hitler [reviewed and debated in the Jan.-Feb. and May-June 2002 issues]. Although dismissed by most experts as poor history based on hearsay and speculation, this book was used as the basis for a new HBO documentary, The Hidden Fuehrer. According to promotional materials, the film “explores the explosive revelations of Lothar Machtan’s controversial best-selling book.” Although the film makes only passing reference to Machtan’s contention that Hitler’s homosexuality may have been related to his rabid anti-Semitism, The Hidden Fuehrer does explores Machtan’s theory that “some of Hitler’s most infamous crimes may have been desperate attempts to cover up his youthful sexual history and shield himself from blackmailers.”