Image for Hans Litten vs Adolf Hitler: To Stop a TyrantNot currently available on BBC iPlayer

Duration: 1 hour

Documentary which reveals the story of German lawyer Hans Litten's public attempt to challenge Adolf Hitler. It examines Litten's life and work, the circumstances which prompted him to take such an extraordinary risk with his own safety, and the fate that awaited him after his historic confrontation with Hitler in a Berlin courtroom.

This study of courage, politics and humanity combines original archive material and interviews with Litten's friends and family, survivors from the street-fighting political landscape of 1930s Berlin, and historians and lawyers to illuminate Litten's tactics and choices. The documentary also explores Litten's story after the trial, his arrest and torture by the Nazis, and his courage in the concentration camps as Hitler's first political prisoner.

So what drove a 29-year-old lawyer with his whole career ahead of him to challenge fascism so directly, pursuing the man at the top and forcing Hitler to account for the violence of his massive private army?

Last on

Sat 27 Aug 2011 20:00 BBC Two

  • The Man Who Crossed Hitler

    The Man Who Crossed Hitler

    A remarkable factual drama for BBC Two, based on a true story, and starring Ian Hart as Adolf Hitler, Ed Stoppard as Hans Litten, and with support from Bill Paterson and Anton Lesser.

    Find out more about The Man Who Crossed Hitler

  • Researching Hans Litten

    Researching Hans Litten

    Writer and producer Mark Hayhurst on discovering the extraordinary story of the young German lawyer: "We traced surviving members of Litten's family to find out about his personality and his background. I read his letters and the memoirs of people who'd once loved him."

    Read and comment on Mark's post on the BBC TV blog

Credits

Director
Mark Hayhurst
Executive Producer
Susan Horth

Broadcasts

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