Review of Hitler Meets Christ (2007) by Shawn-Ray M — 03 Jan 2011

An incredibly low budget, two-man show based on Michael Moriarty's play of the same name. This film depicts the titular characters as two very opposite sides of the same coin, something I never really considered before. One is the embodiment of love and calm rationalization and the other one of hate and gleeful insanity.

Michael Moriarty portrays Hitler who, after his defeat and suicide in WW2, is cursed to live as an insane, homeless man, devoid of rest and prone to bouts of self-monologuing. Christ, portrayed by Wyatt Page, is there for Hitler to debate ideals. This covers everything from Hitler's genocide of the Jews to death to pornography and sex.

There are some things that stood out in this movie as out-of-place. For starters, I don't believe Christ would wear a cross anymore than a murder victim would where a pendant of the item that did him or her in. Moriarty really should have attempted a German accent since his brusque voice kind of ruined the times where he actually looked like his character. Both are minor things, but could have been altered to add some semblance of authenticity.

I felt there was a decent story here and that Moriarty was on the right track with it, but it didn't delve deep enough. I really was hoping for more of the debate the premise seemed centered around - the dichotomy of ideologies - rather than the focus on Hitler's madness and desire for death and oblivion.