It was one of the most spectacular media scandals of the post-war period: In April 1983, the magazine "Stern" published Adolf Hitler's alleged diaries. Shortly thereafter, it was clear: the magazine had fallen for a gigantic scam, the diaries were forged.

40 years later, ARD is now showing a new documentary about the scandal, which is still a mystery to this day. Ex-"Stern" reporter Gerd Heidemann (91), who bought the fake diaries at the time, opens his archive and shows previously unpublished documents. He also makes the recorded phone calls with the forger Konrad Kujau (1938-2000) accessible.

According to ARD, the documentary commissioned by SWR, NDR and RBB makes it clear how much Kujau tried to put the Holocaust into perspective: the "leader" was to be portrayed as a human figure with basically good intentions. It is also shown that there is still a passion for collecting Hitler relics in certain circles today.

"The Hitler Fake: History of a Century Fake" will be shown on March 24 at 10:50 p.m. on the first and will then also be available in the ARD media library.