The many faces of Hitler

In coming months, you won’t have to tune in the History Channel to encounter Adolf Hitler. A spate of projects attempts to find new stories behind the familiar face of evil. Here’s the Fuhrer as you’ve never seen him: misguided youth, frustrated artist, boss under siege in the bunker. It’s “Prime Time for Hitler,” as a recent headline in the Jewish Journal observed.

Late December brings “Max” to the theaters. Set in 1918 Munich, the film tells the story of Max Rothman (John Cusack), an aspiring artist and Jew who lost his right arm fighting in World War I. Opening an art gallery, he meets Hitler (Noah Taylor), a fellow war veteran and aspiring painter who -- friendless and homeless -- transfers his creative talents to politics.

“Blind Spot: Hitler’s Secretary” chronicles the man and his downfall through the recollections of Traudl Junge -- a former Hitler admirer who kept quiet for nearly 60 years after her day job ended. Directed by Andre Heller, the son of a Jewish Holocaust survivor, the Austrian film, set for release Jan. 24, is billed as a confession and a confrontation with the country’s past.

Then there’s the four-hour miniseries “Hitler,” based on Ian Kershaw’s bio “Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris.” CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves, whose Polish grandmother survived the Holocaust but lost her 10 siblings, defends the project, due to air next year. “I still believe we should deal with all historical subjects,” he says. “Should we put our heads in the sand?” That’s a question for philosophers, and entertainment execs, that the ratings may help answer.

-- Elaine Dutka