Theoretical
Puritan Board Professor
Those of you who are history buffs might want to check out one of the most controversial movies of the 20th Century: Triumph of the Will, by Leni Riefenstahl. It is a pseudo-documentary of the 1934 Nazi Party Congress that was commissioned by the Third Reich, and it was played continuously in theaters throughout Germany during the time of the Reich.
Artistically, it is an extraordinary film, with grand camera work, stunning visuals, and a subtle use of deceit to show overwhelming support for Hitler in Nuremburg at this time.
Hitler is a terrifyingly grand orator whose words can still rouse those holding Nazi or Fascist views even to this day (a showing of the film in a European theater will still cause riots...understandably). The power and vigor of the Nazi Party, as well as the separation of the masses from their leaders is boldly on display with this film. The camera angle for marching S.S. and S.A. units, assembled masses of the people, and other scenes is usually directed downward from Hitler's stage or car, showing a blur of generic humanity, and illustrating the communal aspect of Nazi life and government. On the other hand, the leaders of the people, particularly Hitler, are always shown with cameras pointing up at the Furher.
Why should someone watch this movie? Several reasons come to mind, but I'll name 3.
1. (For film buffs) Despite its loathsome topic, many the artistic elements of the cinematography in this film have been duplicated in a number of modern movies (Star Wars and The Two Towers come to mind off the top of my mind). Additionally, it was easily one of the most complex movies made at the time, with an entire city being turned into a stage (including construction of a gargantuan arena for the Congress) and the sheer cinematography and editing set standards for meticulousness, as Riefenstahl spent a bit less than a year editing the film, working 16-20 hours per day in the editing room.
2. (For the history fan) This film is a truly classic study in propaganda and showmanship, illustrating the extreme dangers of believing everything one sees or reads, particularly in such a dangerously undereducated (I speak of real, discerning, and critical education) society as found in the modern world. Perhaps most disturbingly, I'd say that this film and its resounding success chills the heart of those who would presume to think that modern societies are inherently more likely to choose to be free - plenty of people to the end loved and adored Hitler, even above the Nazi Party.
3. (For the artistically and/or intellectually gifted person) Those who have tremendous gifts must take extreme care their gifts are not either wasted or (even worse) co-opted, as Riefenstahl's were because of this heritage. Ms. Riefenstahl was never a Nazi Party member, by most accounts, and appears to have been more taken in by Hitler's personality cult than by his ideology; however, the fact she let herself be used in this way ruined her career for the 60 years after World War II (she only died a few years ago). A woman who was easily one of the most artistically brilliant directors of any era was an utter failure of a filmmaker after WWII, not producing any films until 2003, which was an underwater sea life documentary.
Finally, for what it's worth, coming from an entirely different angle, I highly recommend Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator as a countering force to this film. Chaplin made this movie in 1940 to satirize the Reich and sound a warning call as to Hitler's machinations towards Europe and towards the Jews. Not only is the film itself superb, it is the artistic work that put the West on notice and demanded action against this monstrosity of a regime. It is a worthy film, even despite the "New World Order"-speech at the end.
Artistically, it is an extraordinary film, with grand camera work, stunning visuals, and a subtle use of deceit to show overwhelming support for Hitler in Nuremburg at this time.
Hitler is a terrifyingly grand orator whose words can still rouse those holding Nazi or Fascist views even to this day (a showing of the film in a European theater will still cause riots...understandably). The power and vigor of the Nazi Party, as well as the separation of the masses from their leaders is boldly on display with this film. The camera angle for marching S.S. and S.A. units, assembled masses of the people, and other scenes is usually directed downward from Hitler's stage or car, showing a blur of generic humanity, and illustrating the communal aspect of Nazi life and government. On the other hand, the leaders of the people, particularly Hitler, are always shown with cameras pointing up at the Furher.
Why should someone watch this movie? Several reasons come to mind, but I'll name 3.
1. (For film buffs) Despite its loathsome topic, many the artistic elements of the cinematography in this film have been duplicated in a number of modern movies (Star Wars and The Two Towers come to mind off the top of my mind). Additionally, it was easily one of the most complex movies made at the time, with an entire city being turned into a stage (including construction of a gargantuan arena for the Congress) and the sheer cinematography and editing set standards for meticulousness, as Riefenstahl spent a bit less than a year editing the film, working 16-20 hours per day in the editing room.
2. (For the history fan) This film is a truly classic study in propaganda and showmanship, illustrating the extreme dangers of believing everything one sees or reads, particularly in such a dangerously undereducated (I speak of real, discerning, and critical education) society as found in the modern world. Perhaps most disturbingly, I'd say that this film and its resounding success chills the heart of those who would presume to think that modern societies are inherently more likely to choose to be free - plenty of people to the end loved and adored Hitler, even above the Nazi Party.
3. (For the artistically and/or intellectually gifted person) Those who have tremendous gifts must take extreme care their gifts are not either wasted or (even worse) co-opted, as Riefenstahl's were because of this heritage. Ms. Riefenstahl was never a Nazi Party member, by most accounts, and appears to have been more taken in by Hitler's personality cult than by his ideology; however, the fact she let herself be used in this way ruined her career for the 60 years after World War II (she only died a few years ago). A woman who was easily one of the most artistically brilliant directors of any era was an utter failure of a filmmaker after WWII, not producing any films until 2003, which was an underwater sea life documentary.
Finally, for what it's worth, coming from an entirely different angle, I highly recommend Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator as a countering force to this film. Chaplin made this movie in 1940 to satirize the Reich and sound a warning call as to Hitler's machinations towards Europe and towards the Jews. Not only is the film itself superb, it is the artistic work that put the West on notice and demanded action against this monstrosity of a regime. It is a worthy film, even despite the "New World Order"-speech at the end.
