The Hitler Explains Scene is a scene in Downfall that is used often in parodies.
In Downfall[]
Continuing from the previous scene, Hitler instructs Hanna Reitsch and Robert Ritter von Greim to go to Karl Dönitz and make sure Heinrich Himmler gets punished. Reitsch tells Hitler that they've decided to die with him. Hitler appreciates, but he repeats that Himmler must die because he committed treason. He then continues to tell them about his "huge decoy operation" in which Albert Kesselring and Dönitz will attack the enemy in a pincer movement and crush the enemy.
Greim is amazed that they still have so many reserve troops and Hitler assures him that he has 1,000 of the most modern jets that will make the Luftwaffe ready for battle again. Reitsch ends the scene by thanking Hitler for his ingenuity.
In Downfall Parodies[]
This scene is frequently used by Untergangers, but not as frequently as the Original Bunker Scene, the Günsche informs Hitler scene and the Planning Scene. Most parodies featuring this scene are usually parodies in which Hitler explains things about the most random subjects to Reitsch and von Greim. When used in a parody, the scene frequently goes like follows: Reitsch asks Hitler about something, followed by Hitler (usually) giving a very illogical explanation. The scene ends with von Greim and Reitsch being visibly amazed at Hitler's explanation, no matter how stupid it is.
The scene was used in the first-ever Downfall parody, by Pajarojuarez (together with the Hitler Eating Scene) in his parody La Caida (La versión No Oficial) (re-uploaded by jparedes), while Hitler Rants Parodies is first to use the scene on its own in Hitler explains why 2012 is not the end of the world, in which Hitler explains to Reitsch and Greim why 2012 is indeed not the end of the world.
Since then, the scene has been used similarly by many other Untergangers in parodies that are often titled as "Hitler explains _____".
This scene is the reason why von Greim and Reitsch are considered to be among the dumbest characters in the parody universe. They usually ask Hitler the most stupid questions and are completely in awe about Hitler's explanation, not even thinking for themselves about how illogical and far-fetched it is.
Transcript[]
German transcript and English translation | ||
---|---|---|
Speaker | German | English |
HITLER | Sie und Greim müssen so bald als möglich aufbrechen und zu Dönitz fliegen. | You and Greim have to leave as soon as possible and fly to Dönitz. |
Er soll alles veranlassen, um Himmler seiner verdienten Strafe zuzuführen! | He should do everything to bring Himmler to his deserved punishment! | |
REITSCH | Mein Führer, Ritter Greim und ich haben beschlossen, hier mit Ihnen in den Tod zu gehen. | Mein Führer, Ritter Greim and I have decided to die with you here. |
HITLER | Ich danke Ihnen für diesen Treuebeweis. | Thank you for this proof of loyalty. |
Aber Himmler muss sterben. Er hat Verrat geübt! | But Himmler must die. He has committed treason! | |
Ja, ich hatte Recht, ihn nicht in meine Pläne einzuweihen. | Yes, I was right not to let him in on my plans. | |
GREIM | Mein Führer? | Mein Führer? |
HITLER | Glauben Sie, ich schaue tatenlos zu bis diese Judenschweine mich abmurksen? | Do you believe I will watch and do nothing until these Jewish pigs kill me? |
Dies alles ist Teil eines gigantischen Täuschungsmanövers! Ich ließ den Feind tief ins Reich hinein. | All of this is part of a gigantic deception! I let the enemy deep into the Reich. | |
Er wähnt sich bereits als Sieger, aber Sie werden sehen, Greim: es wird ein böses Erwachen geben! | The enemy thinks it's already the winner, but you'll see, Greim: there will be an awakening! | |
Dönitz mobilisiert im Norden, Kesselring im Süden. | Dönitz is mobilized in the north, Kesselring in the south. | |
Wir werden den Feind in einer riesigen Zangenbewegung zerquetschen. | We're going to crush the enemy in a giant pincer movement. | |
Und ich falle dem Russen mit drei Armeen die bei Prag bereitstehen, in den Rücken! | And I will fall in the back of the Russians with three armies standing by Prague! | |
GREIM | Ich hatte ja keine Ahnung, mein Führer, dass wir über derartige Reserven verfügen! | I had no idea, my Führer, that we had such reserves! |
HITLER | Ich habe Vorsorge getroffen dass Sie, Greim, in Kürze über 1000 der modernen Strahljäger verfügen können. | I have made provisions that you, Greim, will soon be able to dispose of 1000 of the modern jet fighters. |
Damit können Sie die Luftwaffe wieder schlagkräftig machen. | You can use it to make the Luftwaffe powerful again. | |
REITSCH | Man muss knien vor Ihrem Genie, mein Führer. Und vor dem Altar des Vaterlandes. | You have to kneel in front of your genius, my Führer. And in front of the altar of the fatherland. |
Trivia[]
- Between this and the previous scene, there is an eight-second gap, in which Hitler asks Joseph Goebbels to stay and he has no lines in this scene.
- Himmler is usually portrayed in the parodies as someone who is against whatever Hitler argues.
- In the real dialogue, this is one of the few scenes in which Hitler mentions the Jews, obviously in an offensive manner.