The film introduces Adolf Hitler (Robert Carlyle) in his poor childhood in Austria. The film here focuses on the poverty Hitler and his mother Klara (Stockard Channing) and his niece Geli (Jena Malone) faced. The story progresses through Hitler's young adulthood and his role as a soldier in World War I. It then follows Hitler's development from a young soldier to leader of the National Socialist (Nazi). Here Hitler introduces his anti-semetic views to Germany and gains power in the years leading up to World War II. The film also introduces Hitler's mistress Eva Braun (Zoe Telford) and briefly follows their relationship. In addition many central figures of the Nazi Party are introduced such as Hermann Göring (Chris Larkin), Joseph Goebbels (Justin Salinger) and Rudolph Hess (James Babsen).