question of the day: Why do the Hitler ‘Downfall’ parody rants strike such a nerve with us?

I think not just the passion with which some people complain about things, but the bratty, childish, entitled to more - always more - and the way I want it, dammit spirit that so many fannish complaints seem to take on. And because that's what Hitler was, I think - somewhere at the core of the monster stomping across the globe being evil, was a denied child demanding that the world run the way he ordered. So the parodies mock both - the fan, and Hitler.

And because that's what Hitler was, I think - somewhere at the core of the monster stomping across the globe being evil, was a denied child demanding that the world run the way he ordered.

That reminds me of the end of Deathly Hallows--the part where Harry's in limbo--and what the destroyed fragment of Voldemort's soul turned out to look like. Great insight.

Part of it is the recognition that this ranting lunatic was one of history's greatest monsters, and that using this creature to express some form of geekish outrage a kind of fair use.

Part of it is the need to mock that monster: there's a reason Mel Brooks keeps slapping Hitler in his movies, it's an act of defiance saying "Ha ha, you just got punk'd Adolf baby!"

We're laughing at the realization that the scene of Hitler's epic meltdown (that his army is now powerless, and his refusal to accept the fact it *was* all his fault) is at once pitiful, shocking, and... hilarious. We're watching a jerk get his just desserts: it's just a pity his just desserts included 50 million dead.

The weird thing is though, have you noticed how many of these have Hitler acting as the voice of reason?

A lot of the ones I came across (With notable exceptions like the Xbox ban) have Hitler hammering out the uncomfortable truths at his shamefaced generals. The original, however, is an ego-fueled incompetent lashing out at his general and nation as having failed his mighty vision, as in the original.

Perhaps it's just because he gets more lines, but the change to competence in so many of these is kind of odd.

With regards to Hitler acting as the voice of reason, the best explanation I heard of it is that it's a friendly ribbing of nerd rage. You're meant to watch it and think "Yeah! The Avatar trailer was terrible!" or "Man, I agree with him about Torchwood series 2!", then think "Hang on, I'm agreeing with Hitler..." It allows people to vent their disproportionate anger over pop-culture fluff while simultaneously recognising that it's a bit excessive.

possibly fear? we laugh at it because it's hard to understand how the holocaust happened and we try and reduce the figure at the centre of it

It's like Osama Bin Laden jokes. It helps to deal with 9/11 by making fun of him because then he's not just this scary unknowable evil.

I think it's more the reaction of the people in the room (or sent out of the room) We can all remember bosses or parents going postal and how frightening it was, and I think we relate to their discomfort.
When you put it into a modern context, we still relate to the anxiety of an authority figure losing it.

Let's face it, how many public figures act like rabid dogs on film? Our choices are limited for this particular form of satire.

Der Bruno: Interesting point. :)

I really think it's because so few English-speakers speak or understand German. I've seen similar joking around with faux-French and don't find it at all funny because I understand enough French to know that's not what's being said.

The Daily Mash has turned this nicely on its head (as per usual) by claiming that someone in Germany's been adding the Downfall dialogue (in the form of German subtitles) to video footage of one of Gordon Brown's rants in Parliament..

'It was just a bit of fun..'

I think it's the simple incongruity of a period-heavy dictator screaming about modern trifles like the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray war. There's also a growing interest, from me, in the ways that people can play with the form. Hitler screaming about all the "Downfall" parodies was unexpected and inspired.

My understanding is that the Hitler rants are an evolution of this warcaft video meme from 2005.

Mind you it probably wont make sense if you've never played World of warcraft:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PWw_tm3K4c&feature=related

Since the old warcraft one was extremely popular in WoW circles the meme probably has as much to do with taking the mickey out of a serious scene as it does with sticking it to Hitler and Nazi Germany etc.