This screenshot depicts an actor posing as Hitler in Warsaw during the satirical film “To Be or Not to Be”. What I find so interesting about this specific scene is the look of confusion and almost bewilderment on the actor’s face when a young fan recognizes him. It is the perfect representation of how the Nazi uniform and the Hitler mustache were almost seen as a suit of armor at the time of this movie’s filming. These iconic symbols were synonymous with power and authority, and no one dared to question them, which is why, when the actor was posing as Hitler, he was shocked to have his disguise discovered. The camera angle is straight on and centers his shocked expression almost in the direct middle of the screen, further alluding to the masked humanity of the actor who is trying to disappear behind his authoritative disguise. This scene sets up a pervasive theme throughout the film, and an overall commentary on the superficial nature of the order and posing within the Third Reich. A band of actors is successful in extracting information from high-level Nazi officials by posing as high-level officials themselves, and no one questions their authority because they are in disguise and act as though they are in a position of authority. By deifying people as symbols, and losing sight of their undeniable humanity, the Nazis let themselves become fooled and easily manipulated by actors who only needed a few simple props. The reason it worked so well is because the Nazis knew the truth, that their leaders, just like the actors, were only human, but by refusing to question either, an illusion can be maintained. That is why this scene is so interesting to me. It showcases the fragility of the illusion, and yet it works so well because of the fragile illusion the Nazis themselves were trying to uphold.