Rudolf Hess

Hess is stern, hostile and committed to the political and occult goals pursued by the Thule Society. He shows little sympathy toward Edward or the people who interfere with the organization's experiments.

Unlike Haushofer, whose interest in Shamballa has a scholarly dimension, Hess is more directly associated with the nationalist political movement surrounding the society. He accepts violence readily when it serves the organization's objectives.

Hess possesses no alchemical or supernatural abilities. He is an ordinary human living on Earth, where Amestrian alchemy does not normally function.

His influence comes from his position within the Thule Society and the political movement with which it is associated. He has access to firearms and participates directly in the organization's armed operations.

Hess appears as one of the historical figures incorporated into the alternate-Earth storyline of Conqueror of Shamballa. He participates in the Thule Society's effort to open a passage into what its members believe is Shamballa.

The society's experiments eventually succeed in creating a connection to Amestris, bringing Edward's attempt to return home into direct conflict with the organization's political ambitions.

After Edward departs Earth aboard a rocket to pass through the opened Gate, Hess shoots Alfons Heiderich. The wound proves fatal, bringing Heiderich's involvement in the Thule Society's rocket program to an end.

Karl Haushofer is a fellow member of the Thule Society and one of the principal figures involved in its investigation of Shamballa.

Dietlinde Eckart leads the Thule Society during its attempt to enter Amestris.

Edward Elric opposes the society's effort to exploit the Gate and return with power from another world.

Alfons Heiderich works within the German rocket program exploited by the Thule Society. Hess shoots him as Edward launches toward the Gate, inflicting the wound that kills him.

Adolf Hitler is the leader of the Nazi movement with which the film's version of Hess is associated.